British Comedy Guide
The Real McCoy. Image shows from L to R: Curtis Walker, Ishmael Thomas. Copyright: BBC
The Real McCoy

The Real McCoy

  • TV sketch show
  • BBC Two
  • 1991 - 1996
  • 30 episodes (5 series)

Popular and long-running sketch show starring an array of Britain's best black comedy talent. Stars Llewella Gideon, Felix Dexter, Leo Chester, Meera Syal, Robbie Gee and more.

  • Series 1, Episode 6 repeated at 11:40pm on Gold

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Press clippings

BBC Four to repeat comedy classics

To link in with the celebrations of 100 years of the BBC, from Saturday 22nd October BBC Four will begin broadcasting classic episodes of sitcoms and sketch shows.

British Comedy Guide, 14th October 2022

100 BBC TV gamechangers

The Sooty Show, Goodness Gracious Me and Hancock's Half Hour have been named amongst 23 comedy titles in a BFI list of the 100 most important television programmes from the BBC, as the broadcaster marks its 100th anniversary.

British Film Institute, 28th April 2022

Why the BBC needs to stand for backing black comedy

There has been no shortage of black talent, and yet no such ensemble vehicle to showcase a new generation.

Nooruddean Choudry, JOE, 1st February 2021

ITV to document 'Black Comedy Legends'

ITV has commissioned a one-off documentary about the heritage and future of black comedians in Britain.

British Comedy Guide, 27th August 2020

The Real McCoy's long journey back to BBC iPlayer

The Real McCoy burst onto our screens in 1991 and became the first all-Black sketch show on British television. But since coming off air in 1996 it hasn't been screened since - until now.

Lynda Cowell, Digital Spy, 2nd August 2020

The Real McCoy added to BBC iPlayer

1990s sketch show The Real McCoy, which primarily featured Black and Asian cast members, has been added to BBC iPlayer.

British Comedy Guide, 29th July 2020

The surprise return of The Real McCoy

Three sharp-suited black men in bow ties walk into the British National Party headquarters, eager to join the racist outfit. But first they must answer some questions. So began one sketch from The Real McCoy, the groundbreaking BBC show that, 30 years ago, brought a black British perspective to TV.

Stuart Jeffries, The Guardian, 29th July 2020

Fraser Ayres on the show that shaped me: The Real McCoy

By inviting us to laugh at, and with, each other, BBC2's groundbreaking sketch show reached out with open arms to the TriForce Creative Network chief.

Broadcast, 3rd June 2019

The Real McCoy comes to BBC Store

The first series of 1990s sketch show The Real McCoy, starring black and Asian comedy talent, is now available to buy for the first time.

British Comedy Guide, 23rd March 2017

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