The Inbetweeners' Joe Thomas and Simon Bird are out of their school uniforms and in suits for their new TV comedy, Chickens. The funnymen - who are currently celebrating being top of the UK box office with The Inbetweeners Movie - go back in time for the Channel 4 sitcom, where they become the only men left in the village after 'chicken-ing' out of fighting in World War One. Joe, better known as Simon in the E4 comedy, has been cast as conscientious objector George, with Simon (Will) as Cecil, an army reject with flat feet. The duo, who co-wrote the show, are joined by comedian Jonny Sweet, who takes the role of 'philandering scaredy-cat' Bert. The comedy is set to screen in Channel 4's Comedy Showcase next month. Meanwhile, the big-screen adaptation of The Inbetweeners - which stars Joe and Simon alongside their co-stars Blake Harrison (Neil) and James Buckley (Jay) - has taken a phenomenal £2,584,106 on its first day. Producer Chris Young said: "We are all delighted by the response to Jay, Neil, Simon and Will's summer holiday. We've been so excited for people to see the boys on the big screen and we are thrilled that the UK feels the same!" The film, directed by Ben Palmer and written by the show's creators Damon Beesley and Iain Morris, sees the four school boys on their first lads' holiday in Malia after finishing school.
