Johnny Vegas is returning to the Lake District to film a full series of a new sitcom.

The funnyman will lead a star cast in Home from Home, which will air on BBC One next year.

Commissioning of the full series - which also stars Gavin and Stacey actress Joanna Page as Vegas' wife - follows the success of a pilot episode aired earlier this year.

It's another boost for Cumbria's credentials as a great backdrop for filming, adding to the county's growing list of big and small screen credits.

And Vegas, the stand-up comedian whose other credits include Benidorm on ITV, is eager to get back to the county.

He said: "We are thrilled with the news that Home From Home is going to series and cannot wait to get to work.
"We all felt we were on to something very special whilst making the pilot and were rewarded with some wonderful feedback following its broadcast.

"We have so much more to explore with these characters and relish the opportunity to share where they go from here.

"The opportunity to work closely with Home From Home's creators, fellow cast members and producer Rebecca Papworth is one I'm chuffed to have.

"We are absolutely chomping at the bit to deliver a worthy addition to BBC One's rich comedy pedigree."

The pilot episode saw Vegas as Neil Hackett who, alongside wife Fiona finally achieved their long-cherished dream of buying a lodge in the Lake District.

Their traditional lodge at Lake View Holiday Park means everything to them, with the years of scrimping and saving all feeling worth it.

That is until they wake up the next morning and meet their neighbours, The Dillons, Robert (played by Doctor Foster actor Adam James) and Penny (Silent Witnesses' Emilia Fox).

Filming of the pilot took place in the Bassenthwaite and Keswick area, with Vegas and his co-stars spotted mingling among visitors.

Tourism chiefs will welcome the attention and exposure of the Lakes as visitor numbers remain high on the back of the area's fightback from Storm Desmond a year ago.

Producer Papworth said: "Johnny Vegas brought the northern, uptight, chippy Neil Hackett fantastically to life in the pilot episode.

"With our wonderful cast and fabulous Lake District location we can't wait to bring more of his excruciating antics to BBC One."

Home from Home has been commissioned by BBC content director Charlotte Moore and controller for comedy commissioning Shane Allen. The writers are Chris Fewtrell and Simon Crowther.

Allen says the time has come for Vegas to be "front and centre of a broad appeal sitcom".

He added of the series: "Featuring a knock-out cast, rich comedy themes - the northern family versus the southern one - plus those on their way up the class ladder alongside those on their way down.

"There is something for everyone to relate to and it has a big heart making it the perfect fit for BBC One."

Home from Home joins a string of other TV series to be filmed in the Lakes, including acclaimed dramas The A Word on BBC and ITV's Safe House. The county's big-screen exposure includes Swallows and Amazons and Star Wars: The Force Awakens.