BBC Orders Poynton's White Man Van Comedy

BBC Three has ordered a six-part sitcom about a reluctant handyman, written by stand-up Adrian Poynton.

In White Van Man, Two Pints Of Lager star Will Mellor will play Ollie, an aspiring restaurateur whose dreams are dashed when his father suffers a heart attack and he has to take over the family painting and decorating business. Clive Mantle will play the father and Georgia will play Emma.

The series profiles an underdog trying to scratch a living for his father while hurdling an onslaught of chaotic situations, which tempt him to flee in his van. That is, if it wasn’t for Emma (Georgia Moffett, Doctor Who), a severe crush from catering college, holding him back and the least helpful helper known to man….

The series will be shot with a single camera, documentary-style, with no laughter track, and filming starts in the summer.

Executive producer Saurabh Kakkar said: ‘The show has a kind of My Name Is Earl feel to it, in that it’s an everyday world populated with wonderful, larger-than-life characters.’

BBC Three commissioning editor Simon Lupton added: ‘Adrian has created a heart-warming world that can deliver big laughs. It’s rare to find a new writer who can write with such confidence.’