BBC developing sitcom about scaffolders
- The BBC is developing Scaffs, a TV sitcom about scaffolders written by Brian Pern creator Rhys Thomas
- Thomas says: "There aren't many things that really represent working class life on telly"
- Rhys Thomas is also working on a comedy drama about a caravan park populated by divorced men
The BBC is developing Scaffs, a TV sitcom about scaffolders written by Fast Show and Bellamy's People star Rhys Thomas.
Set in Frinton-on-Sea on the Essex coast, the comedy will focus on working class characters.
Speaking to Radio Times, Thomas says: "The plan is a little bit Only Fools And Horses but set now. There aren't many things that really represent working class life on telly. That's why I want to do it."
He added: "It would be quite nice to make something that the whole family could watch that doesn't have any swearing but isn't naff."
The project is in the early stages of development, but the magazine says that the show has been given "a healthy development budget by the BBC commissioning department."
Rhys Thomas has most recently been working on Brian Pern, the BBC Four documentary spoof about an aging rock star. The programme ended with a final special earlier this year, with Thomas explaining at the time "I think I've done as much as we can with Brian - it's been five years on the trot now and it would be good to end before the idea becomes tired."
It is not the only new comedy project that the Down The Line star is now working on. He is also developing a comedy drama set in a caravan park populated by divorced men. The idea is based on the experience of his father, who moved into a caravan site on a temporary basis and stayed for 18 years. Thomas has said he would like to cast Christopher Eccleston and Michael Kitchen as residents of the caravan park if the show does make it to the screen.
Further details on both projects are expected in due course.