Ben Miller has signed up for a new BBC comedy – playing a man who is deserted by his wife.

The former Death In Paradise star will play “nice guy” Murray in I Want My Wife Back, on BBC One.

Ben Miller (See Li/Newzulu)
Ben Miller (See Li/Newzulu)

Murray begins a “quest to find out what went wrong with his marriage and how he can change” after his wife walks out on her 40th birthday, at her surprise party.

But he embarks on “less a journey than a floundering stumble in the dark towards the prize of returning his life to something approaching normality”.

The six-part series has been penned by Mark Bussell and Justin Sbresni, known for The Worst Week Of My Life, which Ben previously starred in.

Ben Miller
Ben Miller (PA)

The actor and comedy star said: “It’s fantastic to be returning to the BBC with Mark and Justin who have created another original and iconic comedy. Fans of The Worst Week Of My Life will be happy to learn that not much goes right in this one either!”

Mark and Justin added: “We’ve hugely enjoyed developing this project… and are looking forward to consciously recoupling with Ben Miller.”

BBC controller of comedy commissioning Shane Allen said: “Ben Miller is never anything short of hilarious.”