A campaign has been launched to get BBC2's Live at the Apollo to feature veteran comic Jeff Innocent.

There is currently a petition on change.org which supporters can sign here. It will be presented to BBC Comedy Commissioner Chris Sussman.

The petition was set up by comedian Tony Marrese and suggests that television is obsessed with younger comedians and, as a result is overlooking gifted, experienced performers. "Great comedians that have put years into their craft, becoming absolute masters of the art, are being passed over by TV executives often in favour of younger, trendier comedians. Of course entertainment needs young blood, but the country is not made up of only young people."

The petition goes on to make the case for Innocent on the grounds of inclusivity: "The Beeb tries hard to be inclusive, and thats an admirable trait, so why not be fully inclusive? and give space and time to all types of Brits! As a Cockney geezer in a mixed race family, Jeff's material reflects a genuinely diverse UK. So let the Great British licence fee paying public make their own minds up as to what is funny, and lets get that laughter ball rolling!"