Rosie Jones to host UKTV disability showcase
- Rosie Jones's Disability Comedy Extravaganza is coming to UKTV Play and Dave's YouTube channel this summer
- Acts set to perform include Josh Pugh, Bethany Black, Jake Lambert and Don Biswas
- Jones says: "It's so important that TV doesn't overlook disabled comedians as we are a ridiculously funny bunch"
UKTV has commissioned Rosie Jones's Disability Comedy Extravaganza, a stand-up showcase for UKTV Play and the Dave YouTube channel.
The 45 minute special will be filmed on April 27th at a central London location and will launch on the UKTV Play streaming platform and Dave's YouTube channel in early summer.
Commissioner Richard Watsham explains: "The showcase will see host Rosie Jones welcome up-and-coming comedy talent to the stage for an in-person audience of producers and commissioners from across the industry, helping to deliver on UKTV's commitment to provide a platform for diverse and underrepresented talent, alongside other key initiatives such as UKTV's diverse writers schemes and our UKTV All Voices initiative."
The new commission follows the "resounding success" of the first UKTV Disabled Comedian's Showcase, which took place in October 2021 for an industry audience. Talent from the first showcase included Chris McCausland, George Zach, Spring Day, Pete Selwood and Eshaan Akbar.
The 2022 showcase will feature Josh Pugh, Bethany Black, Jake Lambert, Don Biswas, Sarah Mills, Sam Serrano, Lara Ricote, Dan Tiernan, William Thompson and Will Robbins.
Rosie Jones says: "I am so excited to be hosting another UKTV Disability Comedy Extravaganza, particularly now this one rightfully has my name in the title! As we proved with the last event, it's so important that TV doesn't overlook disabled comedians as we are a ridiculously funny bunch. It's so exciting that this time viewers will get to join in the fun and watch too!"
Iain Coyle, head of comedy entertainment at UKTV, says: "Diversity is rightly a priority for UKTV and Dave and I'm so proud to be involved with this initiative. There's a huge amount of disabled talent out there, criminally under used. We want to be at the forefront of introducing the industry, and viewers, to that talent and have a bloody good laugh while doing so."
Adele Fowler from producers Phil McIntyre Television adds: "We're really proud to be working with UKTV and Rosie Jones again on another fantastic and diverse night of comedy and we're looking forward to seeing all the exciting comics perform."
The channel has also revealed today that Josh Pugh, who is set to headline the show, will appear on Series 4 of Hypothetical this spring, as well as joining the cast of upcoming UKTV original scripted comedy, Sneakerhead.
As reported by BCG in March, Rosie Jones is also working with Channel 4 on a documentary exploring society's attitudes towards disabled people, Series 2 of disability focused travel show Trip Hazard: My Great British Adventure and cooking format Dine Hard.
Meanwhile Radio 4 has recommissioned The Thirteen Million Club, its stand-up format featuring disabled comics.