ITV2 commission rejected BBC3 sketch show

ITV2 have commissioned a new sketch show written by and starring Perrier award-winner Laura Solon, which was originally developed for BBC Three.

Currently under the working title of The Third XI, the show will also be co-written and co-star Marek Larwood from the sketch trio We Are Klang and Ben Willbond, who recently appeared in The Thick of It and the film Starter for Ten. Eight episodes will be made, and are currently being produced. It is expected that the show will be aired in early 2008.

Solon had been signed up by BBC Radio 4 to produce a comedy show for them, and to work on other TV projects. She developed The Third XI for BBC3, but it is understood to have been passed over. The show was commissioned by Paul Jackson, director of ITV comedy and entertainment, and Zai Bennett, controller of ITV2.

The Third XI is being made by Avalon, the company's first commission for ITV2. It is being produced by Sioned Wiliam, ITV2's former head of comedy, directed by Ben Kellett, and executive produced by Jon Thoday and Richard Allen-Turner.