Neil Forsyth, the creator of Bob Servant, explains how the TV series came about. He also offers up ten things you didn't know about Bob Servant...

In 2006 I read about scam-baiters, people so frustrated with spam that they reply offering similar frustration to the spammers. I opened an email account in the name of Bob Servant, choosing the name so I could sign off emails "Your Servant, Bob Servant."

That was the beginning of a seven year journey to Bob Servant, Independent being broadcast by the BBC in January 2013. It's been a process that has stuttered and apparently ended on a few occasions but, one way or another and often down to blind luck, has led to this six-part BBC Four series that will introduce Bob Servant to the nation.

I wrote three Bob Servant books (including his autobiography Hero Of Dundee) and a radio series (The Bob Servant Emails) which transmitted on BBC Radio Scotland and Radio 4. However, the television adaptation was itself a four year quest for me and producer Owen Bell. Owen had been given one of the books by a friend's girlfriend and contacted me asking if I'd considered adapting the character for radio or TV.

We completed the radio series first and managed to persuade Brian Cox to play Bob after I met a mutual friend in a pub. The fact that both he and Bob are Dundonians undoubtedly helped.

Getting Brian on board was the first step, the next was finding a premise that allowed Bob's pompous, self-regarding character to be given free reign without taking him out of the confines of his hometown, the Dundee suburb of Broughty Ferry.

I decided a by-election, with Bob standing as an independent candidate, would give us what we needed. A lot of writing and re-writing from me and skilful script development by Owen eventually led to BBC Four commissioning this series with BBC Scotland.

We shot in Scotland in 2012, with Brian padding about Broughty Ferry in Bob's distinctive leather jacket and bunnet combo, ably assisted by his sidekick Frank (the hilarious Jonathan Watson). Watching it unfold was a thrilling conclusion to a long journey.

Ten things you didn't know about Bob Servant

1. Bob Servant is a business tycoon. Many in Scotland remember his victorious role in Dundee's notorious Cheeseburger Wars, when his 'armada' of cheeseburger vans scoured the city to sell their questionable products to a delirious public. His enemies point out Servant single-handedly brought back scurvy to the city's hospitals, a claim Servant dismisses as "typical boo boy material."

2. Before the cheeseburgers came a window-cleaning round described by Bob as being "the largest in Western Europe". In both endeavours he was eagerly assisted by right hand man Frank. On the vans Frank was Director of Sauces, with the window-cleaning he was Bucket Chairman. Frank was also briefly Manager of Sponges but lost the role within days in a situation for which Frank readily admits he "only had himself to blame".

3. Bob's house bears an extension that is testament to both his success and ambition. A large glass extravaganza, described by the Council planning committee as a "carbuncle dripping in arrogance", Bob refers to it more warmly as the "Anything Goes Annex", an area where he encourages people to "be themselves and let their worries drift away like geese".

4. Bob's age is a matter for some debate. He claims, with fool-proof logic, that he "can't fully remember" the day he was born and therefore doesn't know his date of birth.

5. Bob is a respected man of letters. The three Bob Servant books have been published in the UK, North America and, most impressively of all, in Dundee where they famously outsell the Bible. They have been called "a Dundonian Lord of the Rings" (by Bob) and "absolutely terrific" (by Frank).

6. Bob has also worked as an Agony Uncle. In the two years that he answered readers' problems for a Scottish magazine he advised over 20 men to divorce their wives "with immediate effect" for crimes including winking and having arrogant walks.

7. The arrival into politics isn't something that Bob decided on a whim. Absolutely not. As long as he can remember he has walked around Broughty Ferry looking at the punters, and their "sad little faces" and wondering what he can do to help them. This is his chance.

8. Frank is extremely proud of his role as Bob's campaign manager. More than anything, he is proud of his special notebook which he currently sleeps with, cradling it like a baby. He's also invested in a new suit and the shortest back and sides in Broughty Ferry.

9. Bob is currently single despite extensive efforts to the contrary. His autobiography contains a chapter entitled 'The Great Skirt Hunt' which shows both the depth of his attempts at gaining a girlfriend, while also hinting at the attitude that has perhaps handicapped them.

10. Bob is greatly looking forward to the transmission of the TV show. He believes it will be "permanent Beatlemania" for him in Broughty Ferry. He has printed off a thousand close-up photos of his face that he will be offering for signature (for a fair price) and is also planning to market "Bob cameos" where he will attend social events for five minutes during which time he will tell "a couple of belters and have the punters laughing like penguins". He is targeting birthdays, retirements and funerals.