Joey sparks bidding war

UK TV networks have entered a bidding war to bring "Friends" spin-off "Joey" to the UK.

15:06 24 June 2004

UK TV networks have entered a bidding war to bring "Friends" spin-off "Joey" to the UK.

The series follows the adventures of Joey Tribbiani (Matt Le Blanc) to LA where he tries to make it in the movies.

It looks like it will cost $1million (550,000) an episode to UK networks wanting to show the series . Channel 4, BSkyB and Channel 5 are all said to be interested.

A pilot for the show was screened to potential buyers in Los Angeles last month, while it received reasonable reviews critics claimed it was "no Friends".

The final episode of "Friends" was watched by more than 50 million fans in America, 8.6 million tuned in to see it in the UK.

"Joey" is still being tinkered with, and it has recently emerged that the part of Joey's neighbour will be re-cast. Scenes featuring the sexy neighbour are to be re-shot .

The pilot received broad praise from test audiences - except for that character, according to the Hollywood Reporter.