The stars of TV series Little Britain have recruited the man behind the Spice Girls and Pop Idol to try to win over viewers in the United States.
Simon Fuller was approached by Matt Lucas and David Walliams to "develop" the show for an American audience, Fuller's spokeswoman confirmed.
She would not comment on whether the Bafta-winning comedy might change its characters or format for the US.
The first three series have already been broadcast on BBC America.
Fuller began his career by identifying up-and-coming talent for record company Chrysalis.
He named his company 19 Entertainment, after the 1985 number one single by Paul Hardcastle, whom he discovered.
Although Fuller did not bring together the Spice Girls, he secured the record deal which would see their debut hit Wannabe top the charts in 37 countries.
He also launched pop group S Club 7 and then doubled his fortune with the TV talent show Pop Idol.
The show brought fame to UK artists including Will Young and Gareth Gates, with US singers such as Kelly Clarkson and Clay Aitken emerging from the US version, American Idol.
Mainstream appeal
Lucas and Walliams took their first show to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1995 and developed character-based comedies for TV through the series Sir Bernard's Stately Homes and Rock Profile.
Little Britain began as a radio programme five years ago and has gone on to become a stage show since the characters gained mainstream recognition on BBC television.
The BBC has now signed the comedy duo to an exclusive deal which means they cannot work for any other broadcaster.
It has announced they are planning a sketch show for next year which could incorporate Little Britain characters.
However, it is unclear whether this is the programme intended to launch them to a wider US audience.
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