The story behind Victoria Wood’s much-loved sitcom dinnerladies is to be explored in a new three-part documentary airing on Gold, UKTV’s comedy channel.
With never granted before access to Wood’s own notebooks, the documentary tells how dinnerladies was conceived, developed, produced and why the comedian chose to end it after just two series.
Produced by Phil McIntyre Television, the three-part dinnerladies diaries will also feature Wood’s own backstage photos and studio records – none which have ever been seen before – as well as interviews with the cast as they reminisce about one of Britain’s most loved comedies on its 20th anniversary.
The series is one of 50 original productions commissioned by the UKTV network for transmission over the coming year.
Other highlights include the return of audience favourites such as James Buckley’s Zapped, Red Dwarf XIII, Matt Forde’s political satire show Unspun, Simon Callow’s The Rebel, Dr Christian Will See You Now and John Bishop: In Conversation With…
TV fans can also look forward to several brand new shows including Don’t Say It, Bring It in which comedian Jason Byrne challenges quiz players to find objects which answer his questions, and Murder on the Blackpool Express, a two-hour comedy drama about a series of murders on a coach tour.
Created by Jason Cook, the award-winning writer behind BBC Comedy Hebburn, the show’s cast includes Johnny Vegas, Sian Gibson, Una Stubbs, Kimberley Nixon, Nigel Havers, Sheila Reid and Griff Rhys Jones.
In addition, UKTV’s Dave was recently confirmed as the home of David Haye’s new boxing stable, guaranteeing sports fans a run of subscription-free fights over the next three years.
The full slate of shows coming to UKTV’s ten channels was unveiled on Wednesday morning by CEO Darren Childs.
Speaking to an audience of stars from the upcoming shows and journalists at Claridge’s hotel, Childs said the network’s investment in all-new, original commissions would allow it “to strengthen our position as the UK’s third commercial broadcaster.”
He added: “Our investment into new content across the network has given us a stable of entertainment commissions, successful launches, and award-winning returning series that has underpinned our strong growth over the last five years.
“We have broadened out into sports, gameshows, factual programming alongside original scripted comedies and lifestyle.
“Our viewers across traditional broadcast and TV streaming service, UKTV Play, are watching UKTV Originals more than ever and we are investing at pace to bring them more of what they love.”