Dick Emery - The Comedy Of Errors?

For more than 20 years, Dick Emery dominated the TV schedules. The Dick Emery Show regularly pulled in audiences of 17 million, making him one of the giants of British character comedy, until his death in 1983. His catchphrases were legendary, the most memorable being "Ooh you are awful, but I like you", and his influence can be seen in TV shows such as Little Britain, as well as the work of Catherine Tate and Harry Enfield.

Emery's characters included over-the-top female figures such as Mandy the peroxide blonde and the man-eating Hetty. He also gave viewers the outrageously camp Clarence, Bovver Boy and the "toothy" vicar. Despite being larger-than-life stereotypes, the characters were taken to the hearts of the British public, who recognised characteristics not far removed from people they knew in everyday life.

This programme includes a rare interview with the comic's only daughter, Eliza Emery, herself a singer and entertainer, who recalls what it felt like to grow up with a famous father. There are also interviews with producer/director Harold Snoad and Dick Emery Show writer David Nobbs about the uniqueness of his comedy creations.

Other contributors include actors Helen Fraser, Jacki Piper, Robert Gillespie and Vicki Michelle, and TV mogul Michael Grade who assesses Emery's contribution to the golden age of British television.

David Walliams said: "I am thrilled to be celebrating the life and work of one of this country's finest character comedians, Dick Emery. His work has been sadly neglected in recent years and I hope this show makes a case for him to be seen as one of the comedy greats."