Paul Chowdhry to host new series of Stand Up For The Week
Stand-up comedian Paul Chowdhry is taking over the hosting duties on Channel 4's topical comedy show Stand Up For The Week.
The network today confirmed that it had renewed the lightly satirical stand-up comedy format for a fifth series, with Chowdhry taking over the role of host from Jon Richardson.
Paul Chowdhry has enjoyed a regular spot on the programme since Series 3, commentating on 'multicultural news', having previously appeared as a guest performer in one Series 2 episode, and is known for his repeated opening line of "What's happening, white people?".
This news signals that Jon Richardson, who has hosted the show for the last two series, is stepping back from the show. No other details on the line-up for Series 5 are yet known, but Seann Walsh, Josh Widdicombe, Sara Pascoe and Andrew Lawrence were the other comics during Series 4.
Having run for 34 episodes to date, each series has seen changes to the show's format and/or line-up, with none of the original comics still featuring on the programme. Patrick Kielty, Jack Whitehall, Andi Osho, Rich Hall and Kevin Bridges were the regulars during Series 1, which also included a guest stand-up spot (dropped from Series 3) and a celebrity interview, a spot which did not return in Series 2.
Stand Up For The Week is made by Open Mike Productions, the company that is also behind shows including Live At The Apollo and is the production arm of Off The Kerb the management company that represents Chowdhry, Walsh and Widdicombe.
Originally recorded at the KOKO venue in Camden, recent series have been recorded at The Clapham Grand. Free tickets to the recordings are expected to be available from September.
Chowdhry's career has risen sharply on the back of his Stand Up For The Week appearances, with other high profile TV work including Channel 4's Comedy Gala. He released What's Happening White People?, his debut stand-up DVD, last year.
The below video features clips from Chowdhry's set, and the comedian talking about his DVD: