The Stage

E4 series to nurture original comedy talent and Bob Hoskins to star as Badger

Published Friday 19 May 2006 at 13:05 by Liz Thomas

E4 is broadcasting a new ten part series aiming to provide an alternative launch pad for new comedy.

Titled Funny Cuts, it offers the next generation of comedy writers and performers airtime to try out a host of eclectic shows.

Head of E4 and factual entertainment Danny Cohen said: “It’s my ambition that E4 becomes a fertile nursery slope for new comedy talent. I hope that Funny Cuts will be the first exciting step in this process.”

The short pieces include acts from the winner of the channel’s King of Comedy competition Andrew Maxwell, Edinburgh stand-up Greg McHugh, Jason Manford and Patrick McGuinness.

• Bob Hoskins is to star as Badger in the forthcoming TV adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s classic Wind in the Willows. He joins Little Britain star Matt Lucas, who will play Mr Toad in the serial and Hustle actor Lee Ingleby, who will play Mole. The production has been penned by Billy Elliot writer Lee Hall and is being made by Box Productions.