Gig to be filmed for UKTV's digital platforms

Rosie Jones is to host a televised Disability Comedy Extravaganza for broadcaster UKTV.

The showcase will feature headliner Josh Pugh alongside Bethany Black, Jake Lambert, Don Biswas, Sarah Mills, Sam Serrano, Lara Ricote, Dan Tiernan, William Thompson and Will Robbins.

To be filmed in London tomorrow, the 45-minute show will go out on the UKTV Play streaming channel and on the YouTube account of the Dave comedy channel.

Richard Watsham, UKTV’s director of commissioning said: ‘The showcase will see host Rosie Jones welcome up-and-coming comedy talent to the stage for an in-person audience of producers and commissioners from across the industry, helping to deliver on UKTV’s commitment to provide a platform for diverse and underrepresented talent.’

Jones added: ‘it’s so important that TV doesn’t overlook disabled comedians as we are a ridiculously funny bunch. It’s so exciting that this time viewers will get to join in the fun and watch too.’

A previous showcase of disabled comedians took place in October last year with Chris McCausland, George Zach, Spring Day, Pete Selwood and Eshaan Akbar performing in front of an industry audience.

The new show was commissioned by Iain Coyle, UKTV’s head of comedy entertainment.

He said: ‘Diversity is rightly a priority for UKTV and Dave and I’m so proud to be involved with this initiative. There’s a huge amount of disabled talent out there, criminally under used.

‘We want to be at the forefront of introducing the industry, and viewers, to that talent and have a bloody good laugh while doing so.’

The showcase will be produced by UKTV assistant producer Jennie Procter, along with Phil McIntyre Television.

Published: 26 Apr 2022