Fast Show's Swiss Toni spins off

Charlie Higson plays the smarmy car salesman

The Fast Show's Swiss Toni, famed for his belief that every activity "is like making love to a beautiful woman", is to star in his own BBC comedy programme.

Charlie Higson will play the fictional car salesman and self-proclaimed ladies' man for a six-part series to be broadcast on digital channel BBC Choice.

Commissioning Swiss Toni is like making love to a beautiful woman

Stuart Murphy, BBC Choice controller

He will be joined by Fast Show regulars Simon Day, who plays his chief car salesman, and Rhys Thomas, who plays Paul the naive office junior.

New characters will include Toni's long-suffering wife Ruth, the salesman's scheming mother and Miranda, the young woman who ensures his business runs smoothly.

"Commissioning Swiss Toni is like making love to a beautiful woman," said BBC Choice controller Stuart Murphy.

"You've got to sweet talk the talent, put all the pieces in place then once you've decided to go with it, you go for the biggest run you can."

Popular character

Swiss Toni, so named "because I'm built like an Alp and ridged like a Toblerone", was one of the most popular characters on the Fast Show.

In addition to playing him, Higson will also lead the programme's comedy writing team.

Tiger Aspect, the independent producer behind such shows as Teachers, Gimme Gimme Gimme and The Vicar of Dibley, is producing the series.

Simon Day will appear on the new show

Geoffrey Perkins the former BBC head of comedy, now creative director at Tiger Aspect said: "Swiss Toni has been crying out for more air time and we're delighted that BBC Choice has been brave enough to give him his own series.

"Our strategy at Tiger Aspect is to back talent and help them bring new projects to television. We're confident that the experience of Charlie Higson and a team of new comedy writers will make Swiss Toni a must-see series."

The show goes into production this month and is scheduled for broadcast on BBC Choice in the autumn.