Joe Lycett to host C4 Big Pride Party
- Joe Lycett will host a 2-hour gay pride special on Channel 4
- The programme will "celebrate all things LGBTQ+ alongside a whole host of famous faces"
- Other comics set to appear include Rosie Jones, Jen Ives and Mawaan Rizwan
Channel 4 is to air a 'Big Pride Party' this summer, hosted by Joe Lycett.
Marking 50 years of gay pride in the UK, the "two-hour inclusive spectacular" will see the comedian and consumer warrior celebrating all things LGBTQ+ alongside a host of famous faces, broadcast live from Birmingham.
The channel teases: "Joe Lycett's Big Pride Party will be full to bursting with Joe's trademark wit, a barrage of naughtiness, and just a smattering of righting wrongs as Joe is joined by a dazzling line up of celebrity guests including Hollywood superstar Rupert Everett, Heartstopper sensations Joe Locke and Yasmin Finney, It's A Sin's Olly Alexander, comedian Mawaan Rizwan and Drag Race queens Tia Kofi and Tayce."
Comedian Jen Ives will also appear in the special, whilst Rosie Jones will be "out on the road".
Also confirmed to perform are queer heroes Boy George and Culture Club, Steps and Self Esteem, plus Danny Dyer "will make a cameo from the closet". Further guests will be confirmed nearer to transmission.
Producers add: "We'll also be counting down the top 10 LGBTQ+ TV moments and the specially invited audience - made up of LGBTQ+ icons, allies of the LGBTQ+ community, and local heroes - will be sharing their own personal stories of pride."
Joe Lycett says: "As a straight white man who works in scaffolding I'm not quite sure why I've been asked to host this????"
Louisa Compton, Head of News, Current Affairs and Specialist Factual and Sport, who is overseeing Channel 4's Pride season, explains: "As a broadcaster who has proudly championed LGBTQ+ programming for forty years, we are delighted to be marking the climax of our Pride at 50 season with Joe Lycett's loud and proud celebration live from his Birmingham hometown. This isn't just any party - it's a pride party with purpose - and whilst we'll be celebrating all that's been achieved we'll also be calling out where progress has stalled across the world. Watch out for some very noisy and exciting stunts."
Steve Handley, Commissioning Editor for Entertainment at Channel 4, says: "The Big Pride Party is set to be an unmissable mix of joy, mischief and purpose, all with a sprinkling of the tour de force that is Joe Lycett. We are thrilled to be able to get together in Birmingham with Joe and celebrate, with pride."
Produced by Rumpus Media and Lycett's own company, My Options Were Limited, a similar comedy-entertainment special, Mummy's Big Christmas Do, was due to air in December 2021 but was cancelled over coronavirus concerns.