It's now obligatory for at least one, preferably more, piece of Russell Brand-related information to leak out into the public domain every single day, so I'd better fill the quota for today.

Whereas in the past the news has mainly been of the 'ooh look what outrageous thing he's done now' variety, the last couple of weeks have been more along the lines of 'another day, another show.' Yup, after landing a primetime Radio 2 slot, and a Channel 4 chat show which is to go head to head with Friday Night With Jonathan Ross, The Sun (via Chortle) is now reporting that Brand is to appear in a rehab centre-based sitcom called The Abbey - no doubt prompting lots of lame 'well he's certainly done his research' type jokes. Whatever your feelings about Brand himself, the show seems to have some real talent behind it - it's being written by Morwenna Banks (recently seen in Saxondale) who will also play the ageing rock star who runs the centre, and stars Reece Shearsmith (League of Gentlemen) and the fabulous Liz Smith, who recently had a nation in tears after a hilarious, but heartbreaking turn in The Royle Family. It's also got the backing of the Steve Coogan and Henry Normal production company Baby Cow, which has produced loads of wonderful comedies including Nighty Night, Human Remains and The Mighty Boosh. [annawaits]