Peep Show duo David Mitchell and Robert Webb are returning to Channel 4 with a new sitcom.

The broadcaster has commissioned a full series of “acerbic” comedy Back, penned by Simon Blackwell, who previously worked on Peep Show.

David, 42, stars as Stephen, who is about to take over the family pub following the death of his pub landlord father.

Robert, 44, plays “charismatic” Andrew, who was fostered by Stephen’s parents when he was younger, and who everyone loves but Stephen thinks is “a glib, dangerous sociopath who’s about to steal his family, his business and his life”.

David said: “It’s great to be making a new show for Channel 4, a broadcaster which has always been huge supporter of new comedy, and with a writer of Simon Blackwell’s talent.

“And, in Simon Blackwell, we’ve found a writer of precisely Simon Blackwell’s talent. His writing is deep, dark, warm and funny – like a hot tub brimming with laughing gravy.”

Robert joked: “That sounds disgusting.”

Writer Simon, whose credits also include Veep and In The Loop, said: “I always jump at the chance of writing for Robert and David. They are brilliant comic actors – funny and real. I can’t wait for us to start making this.”

Kenton Allen, chief executive of producers Big Talk Productions, said: “Simon, David and Robert are the Holy Trinity of British Comedy and it’s a rare privilege to be working with such exceptional comic minds.”

The series was announced at Channel 4′s Upfronts 2017 event for advertisers, where the broadcaster, which aired the Paralympic Games, said it will give away £1 million of commercial airtime next year to encourage more diversity in TV adverts.

It also said it would launch “interactive adverts”, allowing viewers to watch additional content or click to buy the products being advertised.