FOX - FRANK SPENCER TO HIT US SCREENS

FRANK SPENCER TO HIT US SCREENS

One of British TV's best loved comedy characters is to return to the small screen across the pond.

Frank Spencer, star of the 1970s sitcom Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em, will return in a pilot for Fox TV, the network owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp.

Played by Michael Crawford between 1973 and 1978, the hapless character smashed and smirked his way through countless debacles while clad in his familiar beret and trench-coat.

And according to Variety, Fox has asked BBC Worldwide Production to partner Sony Pictures for the remake, with That 70s Show writer Phil Stark set to script and executive produce the show.

Raymond Allen, creator of the original series, told the Guardian he was thrilled that effeminate disaster zone Spencer would be returning to TV.

"I never would have dreamt 35 years ago when I originally wrote the series that dearly loved but disastrous Frank would be creating havoc on American soil," he exclaimed.

"It's a very exciting time… and a treasured moment of glory for Frank!"

Paul Telgedy, executive producer of BBC Worldwide, added: "We have felt for a while now that Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em would translate brilliantly across the pond.

"With Philip's exceptional skills on board we're confident we'll produce a winning pilot with the ultimate aim of bringing Ray's fantastic show to millions of US viewers."