...as Mo Gilligan hosts a Big Breakfast revival

Channel 4 is on the lookout for a black sitcom in a bid to make its schedules more diverse.

The broadcaster will showcase new scripted comedy as part of a ‘takeover’ day of programming by black talent next year.

And that will lead to a full sitcom commission, the channel’s head of content, Ian Katz, has promised.

The vow comes more than 31 years after the broadcaster launched its sitcom Desmond’s, pictured, which featured a predominantly black British Guyanese cast and became one of its longest running comedies, lasting 71 episodes.

As part of the day, in the run-up to next year’s Black History Month in October, comedian Mo Gilligan will front a one-off revival of  The Big Breakfast before its  flagship shows are handed over to black talent, including Celebrity Gogglebox, Countdown, Channel 4 News and Hollyoaks.

Gilligan, below, said:  ‘Like so many of us, I loved The Big Breakfast and I am so grateful to be asked to host this special event, particularly as part of such a hugely thrilling and history making day for British television.’

Channel 4 has asked The Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity to help it come up with ‘ambitious and meaningful off-screen commitments’ to address the lack of representation in the TV industry.

Katz said: ‘Channel 4 was created to give voice to underrepresented parts of society and do things which other broadcasters would not, and the Black Takeover qualifies on both counts. 

‘It will be much more than a day of eye-catching programming, providing a focal point for our efforts to drive up on and off screen representation and leaving a lasting legacy on the channel and beyond.’

Details of how to pitch for the black-led sitcom will be revealed by Channel 4’s comedy department soon.

Published: 25 Aug 2020