Upstart Crow star Spencer Jones has been cast in a new BBC One sitcom alongside former EastEnder Shaun Williamson and AbFab’s Harriet Thorpe.
Jones plays the ironically named Leslie Winner, an eternally-optimistic klutz with his heart in the right place.
Somehow, despite his calamitous nature, he has found love with his fiancé Jemma (Lucy Pearman) and they are preparing for their wedding.
The pressure is on Leslie to find, and keep a job, pay for the honeymoon and keep his father-in-law (Williamson) happy, his mum (Thorpe) and her new boyfriend (Oliver Maltman) happy and hang on to Jemma long enough to walk up the aisle together.
Will Leslie be a winner or will his surname continue to be ironic?
Jones says: “Two weeks ago, we were in so much debt that my missus had to hide our car a few streets away from the bailiffs.
“This week I’m the lead in a BBC One sitcom. Welcome to the entertainment industry. I really hope people like the show because I can’t find the car and the missus can’t remember where she parked it.”
Williamson added: “I’m delighted to be part of Mister Winner, alongside the brilliant Lucy and Spencer.
“Leslie is like the son in law I never wanted. I have to keep reminding myself he’s not real or I’d never sleep at night.”
Filming for the show – which has the working title ‘Mister Winner- is already underway with is being overseen by Chris Sussman, BBC Studios’ Head of Comedy.
Sussman said: “Spencer Jones is a very funny man but a massive liability, and I can’t believe we’ve let him loose around some very expensive production equipment.
“Let’s hope the BBC’s insurance premiums are up to date.”