Alan Davies to host Winter Olympics TV comedy show
Alan Davies is to host a new BBC comedy show linked to the Winter Olympics.
Alan Davies Après-Ski will be broadcast on BBC Two on Friday nights at 10pm, once a week for the three weeks the Winter Games are set to run for.
The show is described by producers as a comedy entertainment programme focusing on the Winter Olympics. They explain: "Alan and his guests take a funny, irreverent and entertaining look at all the action from the games in Sochi, from the craziest events to the weird and wonderful watercooler moments, and celebrate what makes the Olympics so special."
This new commission follows the success of The Last Leg starring Adam Hills, Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker. Launched during the 2012 Paralympic Games, the Channel 4 show's upbeat and irreverent look at the action from the games quickly became a hit with viewers, to the extent the topical format has carried on post-Games. The Last Leg will return at the end of the month for an eight-part fourth series, including two specials broadcast live from the Russian host city of Sochi.
Alan Davies Après-Ski will be filmed at London's Riverside Studios, with episodes recorded on Fridays 7th, 14th and 21st February 2014 just a few hours before transmission. To apply to be in the audience see our free tickets page
Alan Davies is not particularly known for having any link with winter sports, but has been skiing before. Talking in a newspaper interview in November about his favourite holiday destinations to travel to with his partner, he said: "We've been to Cervinia a few times, in northern Italy, which is just on the border with Switzerland, so you can go down the other side to Zermatt. There's a really good ski instructor there who takes us out to the slopes. We're pretty hopeless at skiing but really love doing it. I manage about two hours and then I have to find a spectacular alpine restaurant."
Davies, who recently returned to stand-up comedy, and has various 2014 dates set for his Little Victories show, is also due to star in a new series of Jonathan Creek later this year.
Alan Davies Après-Ski will be produced by So Television, the production company behind The Sarah Millican Show and The Graham Norton Show. Producers say: "Alan Davies will be joined by a range of domestic and international guests from the worlds of sport and comedy to take an entertaining look at the Games, in a show that will complement the rest of the BBC's Winter Olympics coverage. The show will feature the action from Sochi, classic moments from past Games, and will try to capture the Russian Olympic experience."
So Television Executive Producer Graham Stuart says: "This is a perfect vehicle for Alan and we look forward to delivering an alternative perspective on the Winter Games."
BBC Executive Editor Alan Tyler adds: "Alan is one of the best comic performers in the UK and a huge sports fan. We are delighted he is fronting what will be a fun take on a huge sporting event."
The first show will be broadcast on Friday 7th February, focusing on the opening ceremony.
This story was edited on the 24th January to indicate the official name of the show, and add the quotes from the SO TV and the BBC executives..