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³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Three fans will have two new comedies to look forward to following the commissioning of Gemma Factor and Admin by ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Comedy Controller, Lucy Lumsden, and ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Three Controller, Danny Cohen.

The series are to be made for the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ by independent production houses Freeform and Channel K.

Gemma Factor will follow the story of ambitious Gemma Collinge as she attempts to find fame before she reaches 21.

Gemma is determined not be let her search for stardom be hampered by the fact that she lives in a quiet Yorkshire village and miles from the bright lights.

As she chases her dreams she is both helped and hindered by friends and family – clotheshorse Jeff, angst-ridden Nell and her no nonsense Nanna.

Gemma Factor comprises 6 x 30-minute episodes and will be filmed in West Yorkshire.

The writer is Tony Pitts who collaborated with Johnny Vegas on the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 4 comedy series Night Class and created No Friends In The North for ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 2. It will be produced by Joanna Blake for Freeform Productions.

The second commission, Admin (working title), is set in the post room of a solicitors' office. A slacker sitcom, it follows a group of young workers as they try to get on, get together and do as little as possible.

Admin also comprises 6 x 30-minute episodes and will be filmed in Manchester.

It is written by David Isaac who has most recently written on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ One show Not Going Out. The show will be produced by Matt Tiller for Channel K and the director is Matt Lipsey.

Nigel Havers will support the cast of relative unknowns in his first role for ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Three, playing Mike the firm's owner.

Both comedies are an example of the Corporation's "out-of-London" strategy which is designed to ensure that half of all ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ programming is made outside the capital by 2016.

Rebecca Papworth, Executive Producer, Comedy Commissioning, said: "These regional productions will be an exciting addition to ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Three's comedy line-up. Both commissions are great examples of the channel's commitment to producing innovative comedy from new and emerging talent."

Production on both programmes commences shortly.

CP