Comedy characters return to TV

The boys from Bottom are back in a new show which sees Rik Mayall and Ade Edmondson revive their cult characters Richie Rich and Eddie Hitler.

The pair have swapped their filthy flat for the sandy shores of a tropical island in the six-part series.

Ade said: "It's been a while since I last worked with that complete b****** Rik Mayall and I'm very much looking forward to bashing him about the head with various blunt objects. It's the only language he understands."

The show, called Hooligans Island, will be on BBC Two next year.

It is one of a series of new comedy commissions announced at the Edinburgh International Television Festival, including David Mitchell and Robert Webb in Our Men.

The show, billed as a comedy drama, stars David as the British ambassador in the fictional country of Tazbekistan and Robert as a devious diplomat.

Another show sees Father Ted writer Graham Linehan team up with Steve Delaney to bring the comic's creation Count Arthur Strong to television.

The character, a pompous self-styled showbusiness legend, will feature in six half-hour episodes.

Executive producer Gregor Sharp said: "We are absolutely delighted to see Graham and Steve join the immensely talented group of writers and comedians making brilliant shows across the BBC channels."