ITV1 drops Langham comedy series

ITV1 has said it will almost certainly drop plans for a comedy series starring Chris Langham.

A pilot of Seven Second Delay was filmed before Langham's 2005 arrest and subsequent conviction for downloading child pornography.

It had been commissioned by then controller of comedy Sioned Wiliam, who wanted to take one of the BBC's comedy stars, and saw him play a late-night radio DJ.

An ITV1 spokeswoman said it was still technically on the books but added: "Safe to say it is very unlikely that this pilot will be taken forward in the circumstances."

Langham last month lost an appeal attempt to get his 10-month sentence cut and is expected to remain in prison into the new year.

It is also not thought he will return to The Thick Of It on his release.