BBC Announce Series Dedicated To Victoria Wood

BBC One has commissioned a new series that will look back and celebrate Victoria Wood. The late comedian, writer and actress had a career spanning four decades and saw her win six BAFTAs.

The six-part series – Our Friend Victoria – will see her archive of work introduced and celebrated by friends, peers and co-stars.

Each episode will be presented by a famous face, with Julie Walters, Michael Ball, Maxine Peake, and Daniel Rigby already announced. In addition, Aisling Bea, Anne Reid, Celia Imrie, Conleth Hill, David Threlfall, Jim Broadbent, Shobna Gulati, Ted Robbins and Thelma Barlow, will be among the guests talking about their love of Victoria Wood.

Our Friend Victoria is a 6x30' series and will air on BBC One in April 2017 to mark the one-year anniversary of the comedian's death. The series is produced by Phil McIntyre Television and executive produced by Lucy Ansbro and Lindsay Jex. Rachel Ashdown is the BBC commissioning editor.

Shane Allen, Controller, BBC Comedy Commissioning, said: "British comedy lost its most prolific and multi-talented star last year. Victoria was unparalleled in what she achieved as a creator, writer, character actress, sketch and sitcom performer, director, singer, songwriter and stand-up – she did the lot with a unique humour and a broad appeal common touch. Close colleagues from across her career guide us on a celebration of Victoria's finest work so we can revel in her brilliance once more as her work and influence will live on for a long time to come."

www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre

(JP/MH)