ITV is to make a documentary looking back on some of the greatest and sometimes forgotten Black comedy legends of our time.

Through a combination of nostalgic archive footage and star interviews, the programme will explore the greatest Black comics, from the first breakout Black comic, Yorkshireman Charlie Williams, to today’s rising stars, such as Michaela Coel and genre-defining shows from Desmonds to The Real McCoy (pictured).

This celebration of pioneering stars will draw our focus from their work to the present day to offer an insight into the legacy of decades of comedy talent that has touched the new generation of Black comedians who are now shaping the future.

The programme is part of a Black History Month season that will run on ITV and will also include a quiz about Black history hosted by Kate & Koji star Jimmy Akingbola.

The series is produced by Marina Warsama and executive producers are Dhanny Joshi, Thomas Stogdon and Maxine Watson for Big Deal Films.

Black Comedy Legends is commissioned for ITV by Satmohan Panesar, Factual Commissioning Editor and is produced by Big Deal Films. 

Picture: BBC