Bookmaker Paddy Power is making a landmark move into longform content by writing its own sitcom to be broadcasted on terrestrial TV and streaming services. 

 Entitled ‘The VAR Room’, the four-part series takes a tongue-in-cheek look at what ‘really’ happens behind the scenes at Stockley Park – the home of VAR in England. 

The series features a star-studded line up with guest appearances from former Premier League referee, Mark Clattenburg, as well as football legends Teddy Sheringham, Paul Ince and Alan Curbishley. 

Expanding beyond its regular content production for the bookie’s own social media channels, the 23-minute show made its debut on national television on Ireland’s Virgin Media Two on Wednesday 16th June, and will continue for the next three consecutive Wednesdays.  

The VAR Room will also be available online via Paddy Power’s YouTube channel and is set to be streamed on Amazon Prime later this month. 

 Spokesman Paddy Power said: “The shambles at Stockley Park last season gave our brilliantly talented writers enough creative ideas to fuel an entire sitcom series, which Virgin Media and Amazon Prime wanted a piece of too. 

“We have long been renowned at Paddy Power for our content – and we really feel we’ve raised the bar with The VAR Room, which we hope is our first sitcom series of many from our team.”  

The series has been written by Paddy Power’s own Creative Content Managers, Steven Quick and Noel Slevin, who regularly appear in the company’s industry-leading social media skits. The content was then created in Manchester, where it was shot by CHIEF, directed by Nathan Camponi and produced by Colin Offland. 

Other VAR Room stars include Tendayi Jembere, Ashley Margolis, Anthony Richardson and Mark Davison. 

For more information, please contact the Paddy Power press office on 0203 897 0333 or at paddypower@ready10.media.