ITV has signed a deal with comedian Al Murray for a new primetime chat series and two new specials.

The chat show - called Al Murray, The Pub Landlord's Happy Hour - will see Murray reprise his role as the quick-witted, yet bigoted, landlord.

The specials include Another Audience With... and a character-based sketch show. Last year's An Audience With Al Murray averaged 6.3 million viewers for the broadcaster.

Describing Murray as "one of the smartest and most prolific writers" around, Paul Jackson - ITV's director of entertainment and comedy - said: "I just love him. He has the real trick of saying so much more than first appears."