Channel 4 will broadcast a satirical musical about Prince Andrew that will focus on “key events, relationships and controversies" of the Duke of York's life.
The broadcaster has announced a 'Truth and Dare' series of programmes to celebrate its 40th anniversary. Among them is Prince Andrew: The Musical, a “satirical send-up of the life and times” of the duke set to a musical score led by comedian Kieran Hodgson.
Written by and starring Two Doors Down star Hodgson as Andrew, and including original music by Freddie Tapner, the story will centre on “key events, relationships and controversies of Andrew’s life”. The Hat Trick Productions show will include a “reimagining” of the duke’s 2019 Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis.
Read more: Gabby Logan's BBC announcement has viewers delivering same verdict
The Queen’s second son stepped down from public life on November 20 2019, following the fallout from the BBC interview about his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who died in August 2019.
The Truth and Dare roster of shows “is set to do what Channel 4 was created for: to give voice to the unheard, say the unsayable and show the unseen”, the broadcaster said.
They also include a revival of Friday Night Live, with host Ben Elton returning to the show that helped launch the careers of the likes of Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders. The Channel 4 revival will see Elton back as host for a 90-minute programme to “unite the hottest new wave stand-ups and character comedians alongside some original show legends in a dangerously live night of comedy”.
In a 75-minute programme called Frankie Boyle: Monarchy, the Scottish comedian “turns his wry eye to the state of the British monarchy and its future, by looking back at its 1,000-year history”.
Art Trouble, the working title of the programme presented by Jimmy Carr, is billed as “an arts event like no other”. The 75-minute programme, from independent TV production company ClearStory, is a “profoundly provocative exploration of the limits of free expression in art” and “whether we can separate the moral calibre of the artist from the value of their work”.
The programme will combine stunts, surprises and special guests with a public experiment conducted by well-known artists across Britain, and also celebrates what Channel 4 says are its “disruptive roots by exploring the boundary between controversial art and freedom of expression”.
A documentary with the working title Too Large for Love will follow the experiences of the “hidden minority of men who have an extra-large penis”, while three-parter The 80s: The Future Is Now is an “eye-opening account of the 1980s” exploring how – in a decade of division and conflict – “Britain reinvented herself through radical politics, ferocious culture wars and futuristic technology”.
Other titles include What Is A Woman? and Afghan Porn Star, a 75-minute programme which tells the story of Khadija Cohen, also known as Yasmeena Ali, and her journey to forging a career in the porn industry.
Ian Katz, Channel 4’s chief content officer, said: “From musical satire about Prince Andrew to an exploration of cancel culture in art via men with very large penises, this season shows that Channel 4 is still as mischievous, disruptive and distinctive as when it was born 40 years ago.
“Instead of a nostalgia-thon of highlights from the last four decades, we are celebrating with a collection of irreverent, thought-provoking and hugely entertaining shows that no other broadcaster would air.
“If we must age, we plan to do it disgracefully.”
Read next:
- Rylan Clark delights fans with This Morning presenter update
All the updated travel rules for Spain, France, Turkey and Portugal
Gabby Logan speechless as medal ceremony chaos unfolds on BBC
Sam Ryder predicts which UK city will host Eurovision next year
Kate Garraway’s husband Derek Draper 'hospitalised for operation'
