Katy Wix and The Delightful Sausage have made new comedy shows for a Radio 4
In Nora Meadows’ Week of Wellness, Wix plays a therapist with problems of her own, while Delightful Sausage duo Amy Gledhill and Chris Cantrill, both pictured, have created Icklewick FM.
Both were ordered by both BBC TV and radio bosses, with the aim of a possible transfer to screens later. They will also be transmitted on a new podcast feed called Jokes, which combines existing Radio 4 comedies with new commissions.
Icklewick FM is set in a fictional Yorkshire radio station and follows residents as they discuss the big issues of the day, settle old scores and indulge in libellous gossip.
Meanwhile, Nora Meadows’ Week of Wellness – from Petrichor writers Will Farrell and Ben Rowse – follows a non-broadcast pilot episode made last year. Its cast also includes David Elms, Emily Lloyd-Saini, Sunil Patel, Shivani Thussu and Lorna Rose Treen, and it launched on Radio 4 this week, at the same time as the new podcast feed.
Julia McKenzie, comedy and entertainment commissioner for BBC Radio 4 said: ‘I am so excited to be launching this podcast strand that will complement our current offering of two other popular podcast feeds - Friday Night Comedy and Comedy of the Week.
‘Jokes is the place where I can curate a selection of premium comedy content so that it’s easier for people to locate past and current gems. Thrilled to kick it off with a brand new collaboration with my TV comedy colleagues. Nora Meadows is brilliantly observed and very funny.’
Jon Petrie, director of comedy commissioning across the BBC added: ‘Some of the UK’s most cherished characters conquered audio before successfully transferring to TV. We’re looking forward to working with Julia and the podcast team to unearth some comedy gems.'
Jokes also launched with Jess Fostekew’s stand-up show Sturdy Girl Club, which aired on Radio 4 earlier this year, and Phil Wang’s Wangsplaining from 2019.
