ITV has commissioned a new panel show from Harry Hill, to air in 2017.

In Harry Hill’s Alien Fun Capsule, two teams must find evidence that humans are fun and so worth saving, should Earth be invaded by hostile extra-terrestrials. Teams present clips, people and other ‘fun stuff’ and Hill must decide whether each item is worthy of inclusion in the Fun Capsule.

The format has echoes of a more positive version of Room 101, but also promises sketches, studio items, special guests, ‘and the occasional appearance of an alien’.

Hill said: ‘It's great to be back on ITV with an all new format that finally tackles the problem of an imminent and prolonged war with space aliens, by proving to them that us humans are really a lot of fun to hang out with!’

The show was piloted in front of audience in London last year, as Chortle reported at the time.

Hill has long been the channel's comedy figurehead, having hosted TV Burp for 11 years from 2002, and voicing You've Been Framed since 2004. He also hosted a revived Stars In Their Eyes last year, although his subversive take on the format divided critics, and the show was axed.

ITV has struggled to find a panel show hit, although Keith Lemon has had some success reviving Through The Keyhole.

Harry Hill’s Alien Fun Capsule was announced at the Edinburgh TV Festival by Kevin Lygo, ITV's director of television, this afternoon. It was ordered by ITV’s comedy commissioner Saskia Schuster, who said: ‘We’re really excited to have Harry back on ITV, and we're confident that the human race will be safe in his hands.'

It will be produced by Nit Television, the joint venture between Harry Hill and CPL Productions, with Mob Dar, Murray Boland, Danielle Lux and Harry Hill, executive producing.

Published: 25 Aug 2016