Meera Syal’s comedy creation Granny Kumar is set to return to host a new Radio 4 celebrity interview series.
Gossip And Goddesses stars Syal as Granny Kumar, with her great granddaughter Maya (Ambreen Razia) and arch nemesis 'frenemy' Geeta (Harvey Virdi) to chat with a host of fascinating female guests. Starting with Samira Ahmed & Thandie Newton, Granny Kumar also talks to women including Beverley Knight, Maggie Aderin-Pocock, Anoushka Shankar, Konnie Huq, Mandip Gill and Anita Rani.
Granny Kumar previously appeared in the spoof chat show The Kumars At Number 42, which launched on BBC Two in 2004. While her grandson Sanjeev (played by Syal's real-life husband Sanjeev Bhaskar) tried to be a serious TV host, granny would intervene and often make inappropriate advances towards the famous guests.
Gossip And Goddesses will start on Radio 4 on 10 February.
Radio 4 has also confirmed a new sitcom, Beta Female, starting 12 January, written by Amna Saleem. Kiran Sonia Sawar (Black Mirror, Pure) stars as Amna, a young woman trying to find her place in the world - in her work, in her relationships, and in her family.
And there will also be a series of stand-up specials from 3 January fronted by an array of talents including Joz Norris, Kiri Pritchard McLean, Imran Yusuf, Jayde Adams, Elvis McGonagall, Gemma Arrowsmith and more. Read more about the previously announced Joz Norris special, which launches the season on January 3, here.
