Little Britain stars sign golden handcuffs deal with BBC

Matt Lucas as Vicky Pollard (L) and David Walliams as the headmaster in their show Little Britain.

Their comic creations, loud-mouthed teenager Vicky Pollard and Daffyd, supposedly the only gay in the village, are so famous they have even been turned into talking dolls.

Now Matt Lucas and David Walliams have joined an elite league of comedians and entertainers to sign a golden handcuffs deal with the BBC.

The brains behind Little Britain have entered into a three-year exclusive deal to make comedy programmes for the BBC, starting with two Christmas specials of their hit comedy series.

Lucas and Walliams are also developing a new sketch show for 2007, which will feature some familiar faces from Little Britain.

In the wake of recent criticism over the high sums paid to talent and executives, the BBC refused to comment on how much the three-year deal with Walliams and Lucas was worth.

But unlike Jonathan Ross, who recently opted to stay at the BBC in return for £18m over three years, after rival broadcasters offered him more, there was no bidding war for the Little Britain duo.

Peter Fincham, the controller of BBC1, said: "We're entering into a three-year, exclusive contract with Matt Lucas and David Walliams.

"They were clear that the BBC was the right place for them to be. It hasn't been a Shootout at OK Corral."

Mr Fincham added: "They're funny and they play to a younger audience."

Despite its risque content, Little Britain is popular with younger viewers and its catchphrases, such as Vicky Pollard's: "Yeah but, no but", are quoted in playgrounds up and down the land.

Little Britain was voted best television comedy at last year's British Comedy Awards, beating Ricky Gervais' Extras.

Walliams recently made headlines in his own right for swimming the Channel smeared in goose fat to raise more than £400m for the BBC's Sport Relief.

- INDEPENDENT