Adil Ray

A new family-based sitcom starring Adil Ray as self-appointed community leader Mr Khan, previously a character in Radio 4's Down The Line and its underappreciated television offshoot Bellamy's People. This opener sees Khan struggle to keep face after forgetting to book the venue for his daughter's upcoming wedding, leading to conflict with well-meaning mosque manager Dave (Kris Marshall). Despite the occasional laboured gag, it's an affable enough debut, deserving a wider audience than this post-watershed slot is likely to attract.

This good-natured new comedy, the UK's first ever Muslim sitcom, is set in the capital of British Pakistan, Sparkhill in Birmingham. It follows self-appointed community leader Mr Khan - played and created by Adil Ray, the character has already appeared on Radio 4's Down the Line and its TV incarnation Bellamy's People. First up, one of Mr Khan's feisty daughters is about to get married and his wife's on the warpath because he has forgotten to book a venue. Can he call in a favour from mosque manager Dave (Kris Marshall)?

Citizen Khan: an Asian sitcom star is born

Citizen Khan is notable for being the BBC's first Asian sitcom, but it's also the creation of Adil Ray, a radio presenter who has reinvented himself as a TV funnyman.

Adil Ray interview

"If my intention was to ridicule Asians then I'm doing it for the wrong reason - all I'm trying to do is genuinely make people laugh."

This is a comedy about a local radio station in Birmingham. It aims to promote fellow feeling and harmony between Pakistanis, Indians, Somalis, Polish builders and every other next-door neighbour. The show is written by Adil Ray and Anil Gupta, is produced by Bill Dare (whose comedy credits are a mile long) and stars such fine performers as Felix Dexter (from Down the Line as well as this week's daily Woman's Hour drama Ancient Mysteries). But, as the BBC still dithers over the fate of its own Asian radio network, it's an interesting time to broadcast it.