Al Murray to stay at ITV with new sketch show

Al Murray, best known for his pub landlord character is to stay at ITV, with the broadcaster ordering another series of Al Murray's Happy Hour and a new sketch show.

Avalon is to produce seven half-hour episodes of Al Murray's Multiple Personality Disorders, which will see Murray performing a range of new characters. The series, which is expected to start some time next year, will contain the first new characters created by Murray for 14 years. ITV has also commissioned a third series of Happy Hour from the independent production company; that will be broadcast in the autumn.

Richard Allen-Turner, Avalon's joint managing director said, "It's exciting to be given the opportunity to build on the breakthrough success of Happy Hour but also in addition, unveil to the public Al's vast range with Multiple Personality Disorder. There's a lot more to him than just the Pub Landlord and ITV should be applauded for their encouragement and backing of one of our finest contemporary comedy talents."

Paul Jackson, ITV's director of comedy and entertainment went onto say: "Al Murray is a very talented comedian whose critically acclaimed show, Al Murray's Happy Hour, attracted some of the biggest names in showbiz and music."

Murray also has plans for his next stand-up tour in 2009, entitled "The Pub Landlord's Beautiful British Tour".