Irish comedy writer Sharon Horgan has agreed an exclusive deal with the BBC. The two-year agreement will allow corporation executives the first look at all projects penned by the actress from Bellewstown, Co Meath, who co-created and starred in BBC's dark hit comedy Pulling.

The Beeb have been smitten with Horgan, the sister of Irish rugby international Shane Horgan, as far back as 2001 when a collection of sketches she sent them won her a BBC New Comedy Award.

The prize came after years spent in dead-end jobs, which Horgan (37), says helped her create Pulling's unique cast of characters. "I worked in a Dublin job centre for six years and it was hideous. I felt like I was a loser and my life wasn't going anywhere. I just had to do something about it," Horgan said. But all that was to change when, aged 27, Horgan moved to England to study for an English degree at Brunel University. Following it up with a course in creative writing, the former art student was soon creating comedy heaven with writing partner Dennis Kelly.

The first series of Pulling, which follows the lives and lows of three thirtysomething single girls, got a Bafta nomination for best sitcom when it aired in 2006. A second series got more rave reviews.

But despite Pulling's success and her new BBC deal, Horgan is taking it all with a pinch of salt. "In this business one minute you're the next big thing and then suddenly you're no longer so exciting. You just have to make the best of that. Maybe I'll start training to be a librarian... just in case."

Horgan also has a project in development with HBO and has written for animated sketch show Monkey Dust and Channel 4's The Friday Night Project.