Father Figure stars Byrne as Tom, “a father figure we can all relate to”. Tom is married with two sons and tries to be the best Dad he can, but bad luck and his extended family are always upsetting his plans.

The cast will also include Pauline McLynn (Father Ted), Michael Smiley (Luther) and Dermot Crowley (Bleak House).

Cheryl Taylor, BBC Controller of Comedy Commissioning, commented: “Jason Byrne is a bright and bouncy performer and already much loved by comedy enthusiasts everywhere. Following a successful run on Radio 2 we’re really looking forward to developing the new pilot of Father Figure for BBC One.”

Jason Byrne added: “I am delighted to finally announce that we will be making a pilot of my sitcom Father Figure. It’s been a big dream of mine and I’d never have thought I would get the chance to join the ranks of the television sitcom world. The characters all come from real life and the outrageous situations Tom gets into have, more often than not, actually happened to me. The people in my life will never realise that it’s them I’m writing about, unless my wife and two sons, mother, father and best mate ever watch it.”

Father Figure will go into production early next year.

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