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³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Three has commissioned Avalon Television to make a new pilot with one of the country's fastest rising comedians, Russell Howard.

The exciting new show for the if.comedy and Barry Award nominee will be the first topical comedy show for ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Three.

Set to record this summer, the currently untitled pilot will be produced by Mark Iddon (Mouth To Mouth), series produced by Robyn O'Brien (Al Murray's Happy Hour and Big Brother's Big Mouth) and directed by Peter Orton (Harry Hill's TV Burp and Al Murray's Happy Hour). Executive producers are Jon Thoday, Richard Allen-Turner, James Taylor and Karl Warner for the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ.

Jon Thoday, Joint Managing Director of the Avalon Group, said: "We are absolutely delighted to be producing a new show for ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Three with this truly exciting comedian."

Danny Cohen, Controller of ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Three, added: "I'm thrilled that Russell Howard is going to be working with ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Three. He's a huge talent, who already has a great following with young people."

In the last 12 months Russell has become one of the UK's most successful comedians, he is a regular on Mock The Week (³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Two's highest rating comedy show, which has seen viewing figures of over five million per week).

In addition, Russell has twice appeared on Live At The Apollo (³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ One) alongside some of the biggest names in comedy, including Jack Dee, Jimmy Carr and Joan Rivers; and succeed Al Murray, The Pub Landlord as host of Comedy Central's Edinburgh & Beyond.

KT