We chat to comedy writer and actor Brenda Gilhooly about her new online sitcom project, and what her most famous character - Gayle Tuesday - is up to now...

Hi Brenda. In your own words, could we ask you to explain what The Mayoress is?

It's a sitcom set in the fictional town of Mansford. It's very mainstream really, it satirises the insular mentality of middle England, local politics, daft bureaucracy, and the deluded nature of small time power. It centres round a group of daft councillors and their petty trials and tribulations.

Have you taken any inspiration from your local council, or is the premise entirely fictional?

Sort of. It's all local councils really, and the small-minded way we can all be about wheelie bin disasters or pothole sagas. We had a street party for the Queen not long ago and our local Mayor turned up in all his finery, as if he was King! It was very funny, quite mad I thought.

You first tried to get this project away via a TV network. Did they give you any feedback on why they weren't going to make it?

The funny things is, I can't remember the name of the person who turned it down, I only remember that I didn't recognise his name. The feedback was, rather madly, that they liked it. I expect other writers know what that's like, feedback is always a bit "W1A".

I just thought 'ok, well I'll move on from here and think of another way'. TV viewing habits are changing so dramatically, and there's a lot of TV streaming with channels like Netflix and Amazon Prime, so it's quite empowering, as there are other options now.

Crowdfunding online comedy projects has been a method that's been around for a few years now, but your show has one of the most high-profile cast lists we've seen for a crowdfunded project - Jack Dee, Harry Hill and more are involved. Do you feel that this an indicator of power shifting from broadcasters to the writers, producers and actors?

Yes, because crowdfunding means the artist, the comedian, can connect directly with the comedy audience that wants to see original comedy. I expect it will happen more and more. And the comedian keeps creative control of their project, so all that's a good thing.

It's a good way to create innovative comedy. And crowdfunding feels like we're all in it together, the comedian and the people who pledge... we're all making something happen together.

I think everything is changing. None of us sit down any more in front of one of the four main channels and then watch telly for the whole evening. Those days are over. I'm sure the main terrestrial broadcasters know that too.

How did you get the other stars to agree to be in the show?

I'm friends with Jack Dee and I emailed him the script - not to put him on the spot though! - but he emailed back and said he really liked it and to count him in.

Then Harry Hill, who's also a friend of course, brilliantly said the same.

And then I asked Michelle Collins (we're mates too) and she said yes, then fantastically Romesh Ranganathan said 'count me in' too. I didn't really know Romesh before but he's absolutely lovely and will be brilliant in that role.

Everyone is great in their particular role. And what's even more wonderful is that they have very, very kindly said they will do it for FREE. So if we raise the money it's only for production costs, camera, edit, location fees. And then it will be free to view online to stand as an Episode 1 or, equally, as a stand-alone comedy short.

The script is written, we're ready to go. And once we've made it we hope to sell it as an online series.

The crowdfunding site Kickstarter works on a rewards basis, you pledge for rewards. We've got some good joke council related awards that start from a fiver - like a joke Mansford newsletter, joke parking tickets, Hi Vis jackets - and then pledges can go right up in scale to a ticket to the premiere, or a pledge to be an Exec Producer.

You wrote on TV Burp with Harry Hill. Is it weird to watch television now without having to keep a constant eye out for scenes you could re-play on that show?

It's a nightmare! I can't help noticing things all the time still even though I don't have to anymore; something silly going on in the background, or a face on a chair. I don't think any of us will ever be able to watch telly normally again.

It's been six years since we last saw your most famous creation, Gayle Tuesday, appear on screen. Might she pop up in The Mayoress?

I doubt it. Especially if I'm playing Susan the mayoress. Susan's nothing like Gayle but she is a bit over glam and quite unsuitable to be mayoress which is, in fact, the cause of a lot of the council's problems.

Apart from doing the odd live show as Gayle, the Gayle wig is in the loft mainly, along with some very dodgy outfits!

Page 3 has disappeared since Gayle Tuesday: The Comeback went out. Any news on what Gayle is up to now?

I expect she's having a bottle of wine in the middle of the day and trying to call agents.

The find out more about 'The Mayoress' and to help fund it in return for rewards visit Kickstarter. You can also follow the project on Twitter and Facebook