Mo Gilligan is to host a Channel 4 documentary about pioneering black British comedians for Black History Month.
Black, British and Funny will focus on the history of black comedians in the UK and ask why so many have struggled to find mainstream success in this country.
“If you were to ask the average British person on the street to name five well-known black British comedians, they would struggle to give you an answer,” the show’s description reads.
“Mo wants to celebrate the icons who paved the way for artists like him and shine a light on the new wave of acts coming through. He’ll look back at the history of the black comedy circuit, asking why this scene has remained hidden in plain sight.”
Gilligan, who last month won a Bafta for his role as host of the Channel 4 talk show The Lateish Show, will also serve as an executive producer on the documentary.
Black, British and Funny is one of five TV shows to be commissioned by Channel 4 for Black History Month.
These will include Black Love, a series created by Slay In Your Lane author Yomi Adegoke about prominent black British couples, as well as specials about black hair and the treatment of Bame coronavirus patients.
It was announced earlier in August that Gilligan will assume a spot on the judging panel for the second season of The Masked Singer UK.
He will replace US comedian Ken Jeong, who is unable to fly to the UK for filming due to travel restrictions.
