Tank comedy marches on down south

SCOTTISH TV comedy series Gary: Tank Commander is to spread army banter to a nationwide audience.

The BBC series becomes the first Scottish comedy since Still Game to get a UK-wide airing.

The camp soldier and his army colleagues were among names on a list of possible shows being discussed by BBC bosses in London.

But after witnessing the success it has attracted in Scotland, and with a DVD of the show released, BBC chiefs were persuaded that the show deserved a bigger audience.

The creator and main character, Greg McHugh, who has witnessed his show reach new heights, said: "I'm a pessimist. I thought they would just say no after waiting so long. So I'm really happy now. Everyone's excited. It's a new audience. It's like it's going out for the first time."

After lengthy discussions, the BBC selected Gary: Tank Commander ahead of Limmy's Show and Burnistoun, which have also become big ratings hits in Scotland.

BBC bosses have high hopes that the show, which focuses on four young army recruits, will be as much of a success south of the Border as it has been in Scotland.

Two series of Gary: Tank Commander have already been broadcast in Scotland and a third is being filmed.