Spinal Tap stars to reunite for new TV comedy

Christopher Guest is reuniting the stars of This Is Spinal Tap for a new TV comedy.

Guest has co-created a new show called Family Tree, which will star Bridesmaids actor Chris O'Dowd in the lead role as a man who suffers an identity crisis after losing his job and his girlfriend.

Guest will write, direct and appear in the BBC/HBO series along with his Spinal Tap co-stars Michael McKean and Fred Willard, and the show will be produced in the same "mockumentary" style as the 1984 rock comedy.

He says, "I am also delighted to welcome myself to BBC Television. I am very lucky to be working with an incredibly talented cast."

O'Dowd adds, "I'm terribly excited and monumentally under-qualified to work on an improvised show with Chris Guest. I call him Chris 'cos we are friends. He calls me George. I don't know why."

The show will air in the spring.