Channel 4 has commissioned Big Boys, a new six-part comedy created, written and narrated by Jack Rooke and based on his live comedy shows Good Grief, Happy Hour and Love Letters.

It centres on an unlikely friendship between shy, closeted Jack (Dylan Llewellyn, Derry Girls) and laddish Danny (Jon Pointing, Plebs).

Rooke said: “As a kid I‘d stay up late to sneakily watch something a bit ‘queer’ on Channel 4. I‘d ask Dad: ‘Why does that bloke have his face in that other bloke’s lap?’ and he’d grin and say, ‘They’re just having a fun time!!’ Now I am thrilled to have my first comedy series with Channel 4, writing and narrating Big Boys, based on the teen years after losing my dad with all the ups and downs of grief, sexual discovery, freshers’ week and making one very special best mate. (And I’ll be sure to include some of my own ‘fun times’ too!)”

He later tweeted: "I can’t play this cool, Big Boys has been my absolute DREAM during the past 7 years of performing/writing silly poems, stories & jokes about grief. My dad would be buzzing & I’m so grateful to @Channel4 who have the best history of supporting lgbtq+ & mental health stories. 

I hope Big Boys is like Broad City meets Inbetweeners meets Desperate Housewives with lots of sex, drugs & crying in bed watching This Morning. Dylan, Jon & whole cast (tba) are incredible & after such a shite year I’m packing Big Boys with as many daft jokes as I possibly can."

Ash Atalla of Roughcut TV said: “Authenticity is so important and this story feels it could only be told by him, Jack is the real deal.  We can’t wait to film Big Boys; I hope it goes on to make Jack the famous monster I know he dreams of being.”

Big Boys, Thursday, May 26, 10pm.