Frank Skinner and David Baddiel are to reunite with a new series of unscripted live shows for ITV.

The duo have signed a deal with the network for Baddiel and Skinner Unplanned, which starts in the spring.

It is based on a show they performed at the Edinburgh Festival, which cost fans just £2 each to see. But ITV is forking out much more for the three series - it is believed to be paying a seven-figure sum for the shows.

The series will be Skinner's first since he fell out with the BBC in a row over money. The corporation's director of television Alan Yentob walked out of negotiations with Skinner and Baddiel's management company, Avalon in September 1999, saying he could not a go along with its "unreasonable tactics and financial terms".

Three months later, Skinner signed a deal to bring his chat show to ITV. He is reported to have demanded £20m from the BBC, his ITV deal is said to be worth a quarter of that amount.

He said of his new show: "Baddiel And Skinner Unplanned is two blokes sitting on a sofa, talking to a bunch of strangers about whatever comes up.

"There is no script, no rehearsal. Honest, it's not a con. We really are going to just turn up and see what happens.

"We tried it at the Edinburgh Festival and people loved it. But live on TV? Are we out of our minds? Are ITV out of their minds? We'll soon find out."

Baddiel promised: "No guests, just an audience who can ask us whatever they fancy. It's just us sitting on an old sofa talking."

ITV director of programmes David Liddiment said: "We had great fun with Frank and David in 1998 with Fantasy World Cup and I am delighted that they will be bringing their unique brand of comedy back to ITV with this exciting new series."

Last year, Baddiel signed a deal with Sky to develop a sitcom for its Sky Premier channel.