This weekend sees the launch of Toast Of London – the new sitcom from Matt Berry – and our international readership will be pleased to know, it’s also available for dvd pre-order.

Ahead of transmission, we felt it prudent to fill in a few details about the show, which we’ve been itching to tell you all about for some time now.

Starting life as part of the Funny Fortnight offerings made to celebrate Channel 4’s 30th birthday, the pilot was a hit with audiences and was quickly granted a series commission.  It’s not hard to see why – the show comes from the pens of both Matt Berry himself, and Father Ted and Big Train co-creator Arthur Matthews.

It also has a cast to die for.  Joining Berry is fellow TVO regular Rufus Jones, and a veritable cast of whos-who in comedy: a lot of whom have TVO connections aplenty and can be considered part of our wider ‘family’.

This includes Doon Mackichan (Smack The Pony, The Government Inspector) and Geoffrey McGivern (Dead Boss, This is Jinsy), Tracy-Ann Oberman (Big Train), Alan Ford (Snuffbox) and Harry Peacock (Star Stories); plus Robert Bathurst (Cold Feet, Red Dwarf) and Monty Python legend Carol Cleveland, to name but a few.

The show is also directed by Michael Cumming – whose past credits include Snuffbox, Brass Eye and Rock Profile.

Stellar stuff, we’re sure you’ll agree, and it makes us all the more certain that Toast will be a sure fire hit.

The first episode, Addictive Personality airs on Sunday night at 10:40pm on Channel 4, and will be available on 4oD shortly after transmission.  Episode two, Afternoon Tea, airs at the slightly earlier time of 10:35pm the following week.

TVO collectors – and international readers – can preorder the full series dvd now from The Velvet Onion Amazon Store, for just £13.09.  Currently, it is scheduled for release on November 25th.

You can see a brand new preview clip below.