Comedian Ashley Blaker’s series Ashley Blaker: 6.5 Children has been recommissioned for a new four-part series on BBC Radio 4.

The show is a mix of stand-up and comedic documentary, all recorded in the Blakers’ unusual home with the voices of his real family, and tackles parenting, adoption and raising children with special needs. The first series of four half-hour episodes was broadcast in July 2021 to great acclaim. It quickly became the number one stand-up comedy show on BBC Sounds and garnered extensive praise in the press and across social media from listeners, other comedians and major disabilities and adoption charities such as Mencap, Sense and Adoption UK. The series was also Pick of the Day in The Sunday Times, Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday, Daily Telegraph, The i and Radio Times.

The series brought a new perspective to parenting not least because three of the Blakers’ children have special needs – two autistic boys and an adopted girl with Down Syndrome.

The second series continues in the same vein with four new half-hour episodes which focus on family holidays; relationships with friends and neighbours; raising teenagers; and struggles with childcare.

Said Ashley Blaker: ‘I was absolutely delighted that so many people enjoyed series one. It was especially heartwarming to read all the tweets and emails from other parents of children with special needs, as well as from other adopters, and fellow mums and dads whose children can’t look after charger cables. I am very grateful to BBC Radio 4 for once more putting their trust in me. Our children are also thrilled as they have each signed up with new agents who I am told will be negotiating a big raise in their appearance fees!’

Producer, Steve Doherty added: ‘Working with Ashley and his family was such fun. I can’t wait to get the band back together. It was a real team effort with Ashly, his children and the team of pro performers who, together shed a comic light on a whole other world of parenting.’

Before the second series is broadcast, Ashley will be taking to the road for a brand-new stand-up tour inspired by the radio series starting in May 2022. Half of the 30+ dates are already on sale with the full tour schedule to be announced in January. The tour is promoted by So Comedy and will conclude with a full run at the 2022 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Ticket information can be found at http://socomedy.co.uk/artist/ashley-blaker

Series two of Ashley Blaker: 6.5 Children will be written and performed by Ashley Blaker. Also appearing as themselves will be Ashley’s own children: Ami (17), Ophie (16), Simi (14), Soroh (13), Sruly (11) and Bina (7).

In series one he was joined by Shelley Blond (Peep Show, Cold Feet and the voice of Lara Croft in Tomb Raider); Kieran Hodgson (Three-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee and now known to all for his online parody of The Crown); Rosie Holt (another star of lockdown who has put out many viral videos, most often as her character, The Woman); and Judith Jacob (EastEnders, The Real McCoy, Still Open All Hours).

Series one is available in its entirety on BBC Sounds.