Ashley Blaker lands new Radio 4 series
- Radio 4 has commissioned new stand-up series Ashley Blaker: 6.5 Children, to broadcast in 2021
- The episodes will follow Ashley Blaker as he raises his six kids in real-life, three of whom have special needs
- He says: "I am looking forward to being able to share with the nation just how crazy our home life is"
Comedian Ashley Blaker has been commissioned to make 6.5 Children, a stand-up series recorded at home about bringing up six children.
The new commission follows on from Ashley Blaker's Goyish Guide To Judaism, which the stand-up, writer and producer recorded in 2018 and 2019 for the station.
The new four-part series will be "a mix of stand-up and observational documentary that moves beyond Blaker's Orthodox Judaism and meets his extraordinary family".
The half-hour episodes are being recorded at Blaker's home, and will feature the voices of his family.
As a producer, Blaker has made shows such as Little Britain, however in this case the series is being produced by Steve Doherty for Giddy Goat Productions, the production company that has also made radio stand-up series with Nick Revell, Chris Neill and others.
The company says: "As parents of six children, Blaker and his wife, Gemma, are trying to raise a family in a world that is only really set up for having two or three. On top of that, the Blakers' children are not just any kids: three have special needs - two autistic boys and an adopted girl with Down Syndrome - and 6.5 Children sensitively finds the funny in raising children with disabilities."
They add: "Naturally, an entire episode of the show will deal with lockdown when the Blakers had to home-school half a dozen children at once."
Ashley Blaker says: "I am very excited to be bringing a new series to Radio 4 and very grateful to the network for putting their trust in me. I am looking forward to being able to share with the nation just how crazy our home life is. If nothing else, it should be a cathartic experience!"
Steve Doherty adds: "It's a privilege to be allowed inside the home of such a special family. I am looking forward to meeting Gemma and Ashley's children. This will be a comedy with real heart."
6.5 Children will be broadcast in the 11:30am slot on BBC Radio 4 in the summer of 2021.