Online content to accompany TV comeback

The BBC has commissioned a series of online specials to accompany the third Brian Pern series when it airs to BBC Four.

Simon Day's prog-rocker will also be releasing regular video blogs and tweets about the music industry as part of his return to TV.

As Chortle reported in June, Simon Day's prog rocker will be returning for three half-hour specials this autumn, back on BBC Four after a brief promotion to BBC Two.

Now some of the guest starts of Brian Pern: 45 Years in Prog and Roll can be confirmed as Christopher Eccleston, Chas and Dave, Suranne Jones, Rick Wakeman, John Thomson, Simon Callow, Denis Lawson and Jane Asher.

To accompany the new series, a series of ten-minute online specials has been commissioned, including Brian's Life of Psychedelic Rock, Life of Cover Versions and Life of Indie Music, I'm which he claims credit for most musical movements over the last 45 years.

Brian Pern: 45 Years in Prog and Roll is produced and directed by Rhys Thomas and also stars Paul Whitehouse as Thotch guitarist Pat Quid, Michael Kitchen as Brian's manager, John Farrow, and Nigel Havers as Thotch keyboard player Tony Pebblé. It is co-written by Simon Day and Rhys Thomas

Pern is also performing a live gig at the Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue on October 19, including an interview with Thomas and a performance of some of his greatest hits.

Published: 27 Aug 2015