Yeah, but no, but ... it's the 'Ten O'Clock News'

Little Britain, the cult comedy that has now become a catchphrase-spawning mainstream hit, is to take over BBC1 for an entire evening this week.

To mark the start of the third series, which begins on Thursday, the couple's stars, David Walliams and Matt Lucas, have scripted the continuity announcements for the night's viewing. The voiceover will be provided by Tom Baker.

Unsuspecting viewers will be treated to such lines as: "In half an hour, Jenny Dickens' classic serial Bleak House. But first let's see what the poor people are up to in the first of two visits this evening to the EastEnder [sic]."

There will be further gobbledygook prior to a Children in Need preview show, The Great Big Bid, when Baker announces: "Hello telly viewers, you're watching the BBC One. At nine o'clock it's Little Britain - the greatest show in the history of broadcasting ..."

It is thought to be the first time BBC1 has tried such a stunt.