Skinner to learn banjo on TV

Frank Skinner is to learn to play the banjo for a new BBC One reality show.

The comic has been lined up for Play It Again, part of a wider project to encourage more people to take up music.

Also taking part are Robert Winston, who is likely to learn the saxophone, and Diane Abbott, performers’ newspaper The Stage reports.

The show is scheduled to air in 2007.

Commissioning editor Adam Kemp told the paper: ‘This is an absolutely massive music project. Something like 11 million people in this country have said they would like to learn to play a musical instrument.

‘Play It Again is part of a generation of television of programmes where the show is just the start. We are using the television series as a catalyst to inspire interest for projects across the country.’

Skinner recently played some banjo on Victoria Derbyshire’s Radio Five Live show (pictured) in support of England’s World Cup efforts.

• Marcus Brigstocke is to learn French in another BBC show, starting next Tuesday. At the end of Pardon My French – which also features Esther Rantzen and Ron Atkinson – he must perform a stand-up routine to a French audience in their own language.

Published: 12 Jul 2006