Lenny Henry's radio sitcom set for TV move
Lenny Henry, who earlier this week announced he was separating from Dawn French, his wife of 25 years, could soon be starring in a new BBC One sitcom.
Trade magazine Broadcast says the BBC are looking to develop a TV version of Rudy's Rare Records, the radio sitcom in which he stars.
Rudy's Rare Records has - so far - run for two series on Radio 4, with the most recent series broadcasting last year. The comedy, written by Henry with Dan Tetsell, is set in a tiny down-at-heel reggae and ska music shop in Birmingham. Larrington Walker plays the charismatic but lazy shop owner Rudy Sharpe, with Henry as his long-suffering neurotic son Adam.
Following the success of Miranda, a show which started life as Miranda Hart's Joke Shop on Radio 2, the BBC is now looking to transfer more of its hit radio sitcom formats to TV. Rudy's Rare Records is thought to fit the bill very neatly, as not only is the comedy suitable for family viewing, but it is also performed in front of a live audience - two things the BBC is looking to focus on increasing.
A read-through for the TV version of Rudy's Rare Records took place recently, and the formal commissioning pitch is due to take place soon.