Sitcom writer Simon Nye and producer Sophie Clarke-Jervoise have teamed up to launch a new comedy-focused production company called Genial Productions.

Nye is best known as the writer of Men Behaving Badly, and has a string of other hit comedies and drama credits to his name. Clarke-Jervoise is a former BBC Head of Comedy and Managing Director of Tiger Aspect.

Their new company will focus on "returning comedy and comedy drama series".

ITV Studios, who have made an investment in the company, explain: "Simon and Sophie have between them created, written and produced hundreds of hours of shows across many platforms, all with broad appeal. Nye's work has spanned theatre, sitcom, drama, adaptations, animation and film. Clarke-Jervoise has exec produced, produced and developed some of the UK's most successful comedy series including Benidorm, Harry Enfield & Chums, Mount Pleasant, Bad Education, The Vicar Of Dibley, Blackadder Back & Forth, and The Catherine Tate Show."

Simon Nye says: "This is a huge thrill. I've been writing TV for 30 years and am looking forward to expanding my horizons into production. Sophie is better than anyone at creating popular shows and getting them onto the air, and I have experienced ITV's great expertise first hand on The Durrells. What can possibly go wrong?!"

Sophie Clarke-Jervoise adds: "Having enjoyed working with Simon over the past 20 years, now feels the right time to consolidate our shared experience and we're excited at the prospect of new joint endeavours. ITV Studios are a perfect fit for us so we're delighted to have their support and experience."

Julian Bellamy, Managing Director of ITV Studios, comments: "Simon and Sophie have an enviable record of creating, writing and producing some of the best loved, most famous comedy and comedy drama of the past twenty years. They are fantastic creative talents and we look forward to working with them and watching Genial Productions thrive."