RAB C Nesbitt star Gregor Fisher is to team up with Lord Of The Rings' Billy Boyd for a new sitcom based in Glasgow.

Empty will feature the adventures of two rubbish men, a couple of crafty characters who clear out flats after old people die.

The series will no doubt strike bells of familiarity with Steptoe and Son, the 60s sitcom which focused on the dark and disappointing lives of the father and son rag and bone men.

Empty is written by Robert Florence and Ian Connell.

A showbusiness insider said today that Gregor and Billy will make a formidable double act.

"Gregor is a veteran of the sitcom series. And Billy has proved with his work in theatre and films that he's a talented actor with a big fan base.

"If the script is good this could be a real success story."

Empty is Billy Boyd's first starring role in a sitcom, although he made a guest appearance in Still Game in 2002.

The show is the first-ever commission to be screened across the UK from the start for the Comedy Unit. Usually, a sitcom is screened first in Scotland. Then, if ratings are favourable it transfers, to the UK-wide network.

However, the fact the show is going on to nationwide BBC2 indicates the Comedy Unit and the BBC have faith in the product.

Empty represents the second success story for Florence and Connell this year. Their BBC Scot- land series Legit, featuring the adventures of two likely lads, has recently finished filming.

It will be screened in the new year. It's not yet known, however, when Empty is likely to appear on our screens, with details yet to be confirmed.

In recent months, Gregor has been touring with hit stage show Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Meanwhile, Billy has been filming the story of the Stone of Destiny alongside Robert Carlyle, and performing with his band, The Angels Share, who will be playing the Govan Gathering on September 2.