BBC to broadcast Victoria Wood tribute series
- BBC One is to air Our Friend Victoria, a six-part series paying tribute to the work of Victoria Wood
- Julie Walters, Maxine Peake and Daniel Rigby are amongst those who will present episodes
- Our Friend Victoria will start on BBC One in April, marking the one-year anniversary of the star's death
BBC One is to air a six-part series paying tribute to the work of Victoria Wood.
Our Friend Victoria is described as "a series dedicated to the body of work from the much loved and highly revered comedian, writer and actor Victoria Wood".
The BBC say: "Victoria's rich and varied career spanned four decades, won her a raft of awards including six BAFTAs and deep affection from the British public. This is a chance to honour and appreciate her most iconic work all over again alongside some re-discovered treats."
Each half hour episode will be presented by someone connected to Wood. The full line-up has yet to be announced, but her friend and frequent collaborator Julie Walters will present one of the episodes. Michael Ball who worked with her on That Day We Sang is also signed up, as are dinnerladies star Maxine Peake and Daniel Rigby, who starred in her Morecambe & Wise comedy drama Eric And Ernie.
The episodes will also feature guests talking about their love of her work. Jim Broadbent, Conleth Hill, Anne Reid, Thelma Barlow, Celia Imrie, Ted Robbins, David Threlfall, Shobna Gulati and Aisling Bea are amongst those who have recorded their thoughts.
BBC comedy commissioner Shane Allen says: "British comedy lost its most prolific and multi-talented star last year. Victoria was unparalleled in what she achieved as a creator, writer, character actress, sketch and sitcom performer, director, singer, songwriter and stand-up - she did the lot with a unique humour and a broad appeal common touch. Close colleagues from across her career guide us on a celebration of Victoria's finest work so we can revel in her brilliance once more as her work and influence will live on for a long time to come."
Our Friend Victoria will start on BBC One in April, marking the one-year anniversary of the star's death.
Wood died aged 62 on the 20th April 2016. She had been diagnosed with terminal cancer in late 2015 but kept her condition a secret, resulting in nation-wide shock when her death was announced.