BOLTON fans eagerly anticipating the new series of Ricky Gervais's TV comedy Extras may feel at home when it is shown later this year.

In a new plot line, Andy Millman, the hapless would-be actor played by Gervais, writes his own sitcom and sets it in a Bolton factory.

The town appears to be becoming the choice location for comedy shows since Peter Kay set Phoenix Nights in Farnworth. Sadly, the crew and cast of Extras, which is to feature a big line-up of celebrity guest actors, will not be heading North all the filming is being done at Pinewood Studios near London.

But the Bolton Evening News is to make an appearance as copies of the paper will be used as props in the factory canteen set, where Millman sits chatting with other characters.

Filming for the second series began last month.

The first series of Extras followed the tribulations of Millman, who is desperate for a life in acting, but never gets more than the role of an extra.

It attracted a host of big-name stars. Samuel L Jackson, Patrick Stewart, Ben Stiller, Ross Kemp and Kate Winslet made appearances and celebrities have been queuing up to appear in the second series including Orlando Bloom, Daniel Radcliffe and Sir Ian McKellen.

Another plot line will see Bloom rejected by Millman's friend, Maggie, and Radcliffe, the hero of the Harry Potter movies, playing a yob.

Other celebrities lined up to take part are Coldplay's Chris Martin, Diana Rigg, Moira Stuart, Richard Briers, Ronnie Corbett and Stephen Fry.