Brian Cox prepares to revive Bob Servant

VETERAN Scots actor Brian Cox is to bring his pompous cult radio character Bob Servant to television.

The actor, who played Hannibal Lecter in the 1980s film Manhunter and appears in the X-Men movies, has signed up for a three-part comedy series for BBC Four as the self-made local hero.

The 65-year-old has played the role in an adaptation broadcast by Radio Scotland.

The character was created by a fellow Dundonian, the author Neil Forsyth, for the best-selling Bob Servant series of books.

In the TV version – Bob Servant Independent – the self-important businessman stands for parliament in a by-election in the Dundee suburb of Broughty Ferry.

Cox said: “As a Dundee man, I am very excited to be filming a brand new television comedy set in Broughty Ferry. With the comic writing skills of Neil Forsyth, and the audacious spirit of Bob Servant, it shouldn’t fail to capture the very essence of the unique east coast humour.”

Forsyth added: “It’s hugely exciting that Bob is making it onto the telly, and that Brian is once again involved and leading a brilliant cast.”

The series – which will feature Jonathan Watson, Greg McHugh and Rufus Jones – will be filmed over the next few months and broadcast later this year.