Karl Pilkington is to star in his own self-penned sitcom for Sky 1. Sick of It is a scripted comedy series that sees Pilkington take on two roles - himself, and the voice inside his head, as he muddles through the mundane life he may have led if he hadn’t met Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. 

Recently ditched by his long-term girlfriend, Pilkington muddles through life and attempts to make sense of the modern world. Now living with his elderly auntie, Karl's closest companion is the voice in his head, a crotchety, misanthropic alter ego who takes the form of his doppelgänger - it's the uncensored true version of Karl that says what he really thinks without the risk of offending others.  As Karl attempts to move on from the break up and sort out his life, the voice in his head appears periodically to guide, criticise and dispense his unorthodox philosophy of life.

Pilkington says: “For most people the inner self is there to help make decisions but mine mainly confuses me and pushes me in the wrong direction. I’d say that doing this series was inner self’s idea. I’ve only just realised that I’m playing myself twice but only being paid once. Like I say, my inner self doesn’t really look out for me.” 

From the award-winning team behind An Idiot Abroad and The Moaning of Life, Sick of It is created and written by Karl Pilkington and Richard Yee, who also executive produce along with Krishnendu Majumdar. It will air in the 10pm slot.

This new British comedy joins a line-up of shows on Sky 1 including comedy thriller Bounty Hunters starring Jack Whitehall and Rosie Perez, Sick Note starring Rupert Grint and Nick Frost and the just-announced Reluctant Landlord starring Romesh Ranganathan.