THE APPRENTICE - NEW COMEDY SERIES FOR GAVIN AND STACEY STARS

Two of the stars of BBC Three's award-winning sitcom Gavin and Stacey have had their own sketch show commissioned by the channel.

James Corden and Mathew Horne will star in six 30-minute episodes in a mix of new comedy characters and performances in front of a live studio audience.

Horne and Corden Have Come, the show's working title, is being billed by BBC Three as Morecambe and Wise-esque.

The two actors have become some of the most sought after comedy talents following the success of Gavin and Stacey, which beat Strictly Come Dancing and The Apprentice to the Bafta audience award last Sunday.

Corden also followed up last December's best newcomer gong at the British Comedy awards by collecting the award for best comedy performance.

BBC Three controller Danny Cohen said the channel was "delighted" to continue work with the two leads, describing the Bafta audience award as a "real highpoint".

Lucy Lumsden, BBC controller of comedy commissioning, added: "We're so pleased that James and Mat discovered each other through Gavin And Stacey and are delighted to have their new comedy sketch show on BBC Three."