BBC Two orders new series from Paul Whitehouse
Paul Whitehouse is to transfer his new Radio 4 series Nurse to television.
BBC Two has confirmed it has ordered four episodes, which will closely resemble the radio version.
Nurse has just finished broadcasting on Radio 4. Comprising of six 15-minute episodes, the series followed the interactions of Elizabeth, a Community Psychiatric Nurse. Visiting various homes, she conversed with patients with various problems - the majority of whom were played by Whitehouse.
Characters include morbidly obese Graham, bipolar rocker Ray, deluded old man Herbert, and love pest Maurice. Whitehouse has previously played some of the characters in spoof radio phone-in show Down The Line.
The format of Nurse somewhat resembles Help, the 2005 BBC Two sitcom in which the comedy star portrayed various patients being interviewed by a psychotherapist (played by Chris Langham).
The Fast Show and Harry & Paul star will star in Nurse alongside the majority of the radio cast. Peak Practice actress Esther Coles will resume her role as Elizabeth, with the radio ensemble comprising of Rosie Cavaliero, Simon Day, Cecilia Noble and Marcia Warren.
Talking about the TV series, the BBC describes Nurse as "A brand-new series starring Esther Coles as a community psychiatric nurse and Paul Whitehouse as many of her patients or their relatives. The series follows Elizabeth into the homes of her patients (or 'service users' in today's jargon). It recounts their humorous, sad and often bewildering daily interactions with their nurse, whose job is to assess their progress, dispense medication and offer comfort and support."
Whitehouse told The Radio Times that the new TV show, written by himself and long-term collaborator David Cummings, will use the radio scripts alongside some new material. He added: "This is a labour of love of mine and my mate Dave Cummings and I am really pleased that it is to move to TV. We will be running for four [episodes] which seems about right as it would nice to break it in gently."
BBC comedy commissioner Shane Allen told the magazine: "Nurse has gone down a storm on radio and we are very excited about the TV version. Paul is the leading character comedian of his generation. This is a brave insight into often marginalised people in society and plays to Paul's ability to make you cry with laughter one minute and cry with empathy the next as he makes you care about the people he brings to life.
"There is warmth, truth and depth to Paul's comedy and Esther Coles is an absolute delight as well. It's a clever way to re-skin a multi-character comedy show away from the sketch world in to something more considered and heartfelt."
Whitehouse will appear on BBC Two soon with Harry Enfield in Harry & Paul's Story Of The Twos, a programme spoofing some of the channel's most famous output to mark its 50th anniversary. The channel will also look back at The Fast Show as part of its birthday programming, a show in which Whitehouse was a key cast member.
Nurse is expected to air on BBC Two towards the end of the year.