Johnny Vegas and Sian Gibson star in Murder On The Blackpool Express
- The cast has been announced for the one-off Gold comedy special Murder On The Blackpool Express
- Johnny Vegas and Sian Gibson play characters running a coach trip on which passengers are killed one by one
- The cast list also includes Griff Rhys Jones, Nina Wadia, Kevin Eldon, Mark Heap, Susie Blake and more
The cast has been announced for Murder On The Blackpool Express, the new one-off TV comedy for UKTV channel Gold.
The two-hour special, which has begun filming on location today, is described as a show that puts a 'new comedic spin on the classic Agatha Christie whodunits'.
Johnny Vegas will play Terry, a Blackpool coach driver who, along with tour guide and business owner Gemma (Car Share star Sian Gibson) is caught up in a deadly conspiracy when the trip's passengers start mysteriously dying one by one.
Terry feels he is stuck in a rut. He has no goal or passions, apart from an unrequited love interest in Gemma. But everything changes when an OAP dies under suspicious circumstances during a trip, causing Terry to suspect something sinister is afoot. Soon the number of passengers has seriously dwindled and Terry feels compelled to solve the mystery and save Gemma's business; hopefully winning her love in the process.
The channel says: "With everyone a suspect and a potential next victim, can Terry and Gemma keep the group together, address their burgeoning attraction for each other, fend off the police, and make it to Blackpool Tower with their lives intact?"
The show will feature an all-star cast with Nigel Havers, Una Stubbs, Griff Rhys Jones, Nina Wadia, Sheila Reid, Kevin Eldon, Mark Heap, Kimberley Nixon, Katy Cavanagh, Matthew Cottle, Susie Blake and Javone Prince also on the cast list.
Talking about the show, Johnny Vegas says: "If the script read through is anything to go by this is not only going to be immense fun to film, but a real treat for comedy lovers and whodunnits alike. Brilliant casting and laugh out loud writing, what's not to be excited about?"
Sian Gibson adds: "I'm so excited to be involved in a murder mystery! The script is very funny and it's such a pleasure to be working with Johnny and such a wonderful cast. Can't wait."
The comedy has been created by stand-up comedian and Hebburn writer Jason Cook. He says: "It's been such a joy to work on this show. From the beginning we were just after a show that had big laughs and a lot of heart and I think we've managed to pull it off. And the cast we have managed to get for this is beyond my wildest dreams. Each of them could star in their own show so we've been truly lucky to assemble such a team of comedy royalty."
The filming is being overseen by Stella and Lead Balloon director Simon Delaney and Shameless producer Jim Poyser.
Murder On The Blackpool Express will be shown on Gold later this year.