STEVE COOGAN - STEVE COOGAN TO STAR IN CRAIG CRASH-SCRIPTED COMEDY DRAMA

The BBC has lifted the lid on a new comedy drama from Craig Cash starring Steve Coogan.

Sunshine, a three-part miniseries, will be broadcast later this autumn, with filming taking place in Stockport and Salford now.

Cash co-wrote the comedy with his Early Doors collaborator Phil Mealey and both feature alongside the main cast.

Coogan, of Alan Partridge and Saxondale fame, plays Bing, whose relationship with his childhood sweetheart Bernadette (Lisa Millett), father George (Bernard Hill) and young son Joe is jeopardised by his gambling addiction.

The drama, described as "heart-warming" by the BBC, will also be directed by Cash, while the Jellylegs company he set up with Mealey will handle production.

"With the combined talents of Craig Cash, Phil Mealey and Steve Coogan, Sunshine is a significant comedy drama from the north for BBC One," said BBC comedy controller Lucy Lumsden.

Sunshine producer John Rushton added: "I am delighted that Jellylegs brings a new production to the north-west of England, using the talents and experience that the region has to offer as well as featuring many well liked and respected faces from entertainment and drama."

Cash and Mealey won Baftas for their one-off special Royle Family – The Queen of Sheba.