A still from The Rubberbandits’ new video, 'Black Guy ( I Need A Black Guy In My Gang)'

Once it seemed they would only be remembered as a Christmas novelty act.

But Limerick outfit The Rubberbandits could well become the replacement for British hit sitcom 'The Inbetweeners' after being invited to make a TV pilot for Channel 4.

The commission will be the first comedy filmed by the channel in Ireland since 'Father Ted', and comes as a result of the success of the first of a series of online sketches made by The Rubberbandits for the Channel 4 website.

Having nearly topped the Irish charts last Christmas with comedy track 'Horse Outside', the duo failed to come up with a similar follow up -- until a new video, 'Black Guy (I Need A Black Guy In My Gang)' was posted on Channel 4's website last night.

The song is featured in the first of a series of online Channel 4 sketches and follows attempts by band members Blind Boy Boat Club and Mr Chrome to write a song for a show at their local community centre. Filmed in Limerick last month by 'Father Ted' director Declan Lowney, who is expected to direct the TV pilot, it was produced by Dublin-based company Sideline Productions.

"It's great news for the lads and for their friends and supporters who took part in the filming in Limerick," said a Sideline spokesman.

The new Rubberbandits sketches can be seen at channel4.com/blaps, with further sketches aired online every Thursday for six weeks until December 15. The band begins a UK tour this Sunday.

Irish Independent