BBC comedy talent development scheme

Comedy and drama writer Tiwa Lade is this year’s recipient of the Felix Dexter bursary.

The scheme, now in its fourth year, is run by the BBC in honour of the late comedian to help develop black, Asian and ethnic minority talent.

Lade turned to playwriting after drama school and her work Rush and Everyday were staged as rehearsed readings in theatres in New York, Lagos and London.

She said: 'I started writing my first play, Rush, six years ago; from gathering friends to read excerpts in a cafe, to research and development and eventually short but memorable runs in theatres. 

‘I am so happy and excited to start working as a writer with the BBC on other projects, it’s a dream come true! Someone, anyone pinch me.’

The bursary gives up-and-coming talent the chance to make comedy writing their main focus for six months, while immersed in comedy production, gaining experience on a range of BBC comedies across radio, TV and online including panel shows, shorts, sitcoms or comedy entertainment shows.

Head of BBC comedy Tanya Qureshi said: ‘We are delighted to be welcoming Tiwa into the BBC Comedy team and working with her towards the next step in her career. 

‘The Felix Dexter bursary remains incredibly important and precious to BBC Comedy. We are so pleased to be able to fund a placement which affords new comedy writers from minority backgrounds the time out to fully focus on further developing their craft. Finding and nurturing new talent, on and off screen, is a vital part of what we do.’

Published: 19 Aug 2021