Nick Hancock to host The Manuscript

Absolute Radio is making a rare venture into the comedy panel show, with a new series about masculinity.

Nick Hancock is to host the six-part show The Manuscript, which will go out at 7pm on Friday nights, starting this week.

The first episode will be recorded tomorrow night with guests Andrew Maxwell, Katy Brand and Rob Beckett. And lined up for the other episodes are Clive Anderson, Christian O’Connell, Jo Brand, Robin Ince, Andi Osho, Alun Cochrane, Katherine Ryan, Andy Zaltzman, Ian Stone and Jenny Eclair.

The concept is that the panel try to write the guide to being a 21st Century man, asking questions such as ‘Should a man trim his body hair?’

It’s rare for a commercial radio station to make a panel show, which has traditionally been the preserve of the BBC, but Tony Moorey, content director at Absolute Radio, said: ‘We would like to create a home for comedy on commercial radio.

‘We already have award winning programmes from talented comedians and broadcasters such as Frank Skinner, Geoff Lloyd and Christian O’Connell, so a panel show is the next logical step.’

The show is being recorded at Under the Bridge, a function suite at Chelsea FC’s Stamford Bridge ground – see our free tickets page to be in the studio audience.

Published: 19 Jun 2013