Jason Manford and Claire Sweeney join Scarborough

Jason Manford and Claire Sweeney have joined the new BBC comedy \'Scarborough\'.

The 37-year-old comedian will star alongside the 47-year-old actress in the new BBC One show, which is set in the North Yorkshire seaside town and tells the story of a host of Scarborough residents who are "bonded by family, friendship and their love of karaoke".

The cast will also include former \'Coronation Street\' stars Catherine Tyldesley and Stephanie Cole, Maggie Ollerenshaw, Steve Edge, Harriet Webb, and actress Gina Fillingham.

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Jason will play Mike, who gives his relationship with Karen (Catherine) another go five years after they split when his ambition to become a professional entertainer meant he was never at home.

Now in his late 30s, Mike has given up life on the road to come back to Scarborough and give their romance another shot.

The show is written and directed by Derren Litten, who insisted the project is "unlike anything he\'s written before" and the \'Benidorm\' creator has been "genuinely flattered" by the programme\'s all-star cast.

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He said in a statement: "Even though I\'ve stuck close to themes I clearly love (the seaside, pubs and karaoke), \'Scarborough\' is unlike anything I\'ve written before.

"I\'m genuinely flattered by the calibre of actors my scripts have attracted and I can\'t wait for BBC audiences to get caught up in the laughter, love and intrigue I\'ve created all set against the backdrop of this beautiful North Yorkshire fishing town."

\'Scarborough\' is produced by Gill Isles and will be executive produced by Stephen McCrum and James Farrell for BBC Studios.