Ab Fab 'to be re-made for US TV'

Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley and Julia Sawalha starred in the BBC series

BBC sitcom Absolutely Fabulous is to be re-made for the US and set in Los Angeles, according to reports.

US TV network Fox has ordered a pilot episode for a US version of the Jennifer Saunders comedy, industry newspaper Hollywood Reporter said.

It reported Saunders, who wrote and starred in the original series, would be producing the pilot along with Sony Pictures TV and BBC Worldwide.

A spokeswoman for the BBC was unable to confirm the corporation's involvement.

There have been several attempts to develop the series for US audiences, where the show received a cult following, but this is the first one to go to pilot.

Absolutely Fabulous ran for three series on the BBC from 1992 to 1995 and returned for a further two series and three specials from 2001 to 2004.

It starred Saunders as fashion publicist Edina and Joanna Lumley as her best friend Patsy, who drive Eddie's sensible teen daughter, Saffron, up the wall with their wild behaviour.

It is the latest in a line of British TV programmes to be re-made for the US.

BBC shows The Office and Life on Mars have been given a US makeover in recent years.

US pilot versions were also made of Channel 4 comedies Spaced and The IT Crowd but were never made into series.