Corden to star in monastery comedy

Gavin And Stacey star James Corden has landed the lead role in a new ecclesiastical sitcom on BBC Two.

The actor will play jobless loser Gary Woodcroft, who is given a job at a monastery in Hey Hey We're The Monks.

An insider told the Daily Mirror: "A clerical error has let Gary collect benefits for years. He's cost the taxpayer more than the war, but all that is about to change.

"There aren't many places so chronically understaffed that they'd take on someone of Gary's prospects (which are nil) so the unexpected vacancy at Buckley Abbey is a Godsend. Plus, if he's honest, the vow of celibacy doesn't make that much difference."

Corden is currently fronting Big Brother's Big Mouth with Gavin & Stacey co-star Mathew Horne.

He was named Best Male Comedy Newcomer at last month's British Comedy Awards for his role as Smithy in the BBC Three sitcom.