Collins, Carr get rival chatshows

Sunday Night Project hosts Alan Carr and Justin Lee Collins have signed up to front chatshows for ITV and Channel 4, reports The Sun.

Collins, 34, is fronting a 10-episode series for ITV2, which will "lift Britain's spirits during the credit crunch".

"There will be everything you expect from the loveable Bristol comedian - big studio set pieces, hilarious VT items, cheeky hidden camera stunts, live music and huge audience surprises," said ITV2's Zai Bennett. "But the theme will remain the same. It's about good times."

Meanwhile, Channel 4's head of entertainment Andrew Newman confirmed that the broadcaster is working on a new series with Carr.

"Alan's doing a chatshow for us and you just know it's going to be hilarious," he said. "We've done a few things with him now like Sunday Night Project and Celebrity Ding Dong and they have always gone down well. A chat show is a natural extension for Alan. We are really excited."

Both shows are expected to air in the spring.