BBC SCOTLAND'S winter programme launch was announced today but with no mention of the expected new series from Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill.

The comedy pair behind the phenomenally successful Still Game series had a major multi-million pound sitcom lined up.

And it's claimed the comedy Two Bob Rocket, featuring two Glaswegians who find themselves in space, had been given the go-ahead.

However, the BBC wouldn't say when the new show - a spin-off from a previous Chewin The Fat sketch and which showbiz insiders reckon would be their best yet - would appear.

Nor would the spokesman confirm that a new Chewin' The Fat episode, lined up for a Christmas special, would be made.

"Nothing has been sorted out," said BBC programme boss Ewan Angus, adding: "We're still in talks with Ford and Greg and as yet there is nothing to announce."

The failure to announce Two Bob Rocket in particular suggests there are underlying problems. It seemed however that the BBC were keen to screen the new show.

And there had been massive efforts to get the hundreds of thousands of pounds to make the six-part series, as the show was dependent upon expensive computer imagery.

Insiders are now asking if the BBC's commitment to the series isn't in question then are the comedy duo still the rock-solid writing partnership they once were?

A showbiz insider said: "Writing sit-coms is an incredibly demanding process. It takes at least a month just to write one episode.

"Once you come up with a hit series there is the pressure to repeat it I could understand if the boys, or one of them, reckoned it was all too much to bear."

In recent times, Ford and Greg have concentrated on individual projects.

Ford has had a major part in Dear Green Place, has made several solo appearances in other shows and is now writing on his own.

Meanwhile, Greg has concentrated on his own acting career and film writing.

Ford and Greg were unavailable for comment.