British fans of ‘Friends’ trying to get their heads round the fact that their beloved sitcom ended over 10 years ago will be pleased to hear that David Schwimmer will be returning to Channel 4 for a new comedy series in 2016.

Schwimmer, who played Ross Geller in ten series of ‘Friends’ between 1994 and 2004, will be starring in a six-part series called ‘Morning Has Broken’. Created by Julia Davis, he’ll be playing the part of an American TV producer brought in to rescue a failing British daytime TV show that features Gail Sinclair, a self-styled ‘queen of daytime’ played by Davis herself.

David SchwimmerDavid Schwimmer will be making a return to British TV screens in 'Morning Has Broken'

The 48 year old actor has occupied himself mainly with stage productions and directing movies in the years since ‘Friends’ wrapped, is the second star from the show to move into the world of British TV comedy. Matt LeBlanc, who played Joey Tribbiani, has starred in the BBC’s transatlantic co-production ‘Episodes’ since 2011.

More: ‘Friends’ set to be rebuilt in London for festival celebrating the sitcom

Davis’s previous work, which includes BBC Three’s ‘Nighty Night’ and Sky Atlantic’s ‘Hunderby’, has always had a pretty dark edge to it, so we probably shouldn’t expect Schwimmer’s role to be particularly light-hearted.

In reaction to the news, the actor said: “I've been a massive fan of Julia's for years, and I'm thrilled to be able to finally work with her and Nick [Mohammed, who’ll play Davis’s co-presenter] on this fantastic comedy.”

The fact that ‘Morning Has Broken’ has been approved by Channel 4, which has not had a dedicated breakfast show since 2003 when the very short-lived ‘RI:SE’ was cancelled, is probably apt. However, it’s thought that any resemblance the new show may have to real life incidents – namely, ITV’s struggles with its morning show format over recent years – will be coincidental.

“Julia is undoubtedly one of our most talented comedic writers and actresses and it’s a testament to the quality of her writing that she can attract such a big star,” said Channel 4’s commissioning editor for comedy Rachel Springett.

More: Sir Paul McCartney was nearly cast as Ross’s father-in-law in ‘Friends’!