UKTV's Gold Channel Orders Bob Monkhouse Documentary Series Fronted By Paul O'Grady – TVWise

Paul O’Grady is set to examine the career of Bob Monkhouse for UKTV.
The commercial network has ordered a three part documentary series about the legendary comedian, fronted by O’Grady, which will air on their flagship comedy channel Gold, TVWise has learned.
Titled Bob Monkhouse: The Million Joke Man, the series sees O’Grady and a number of (yet to be announced) famous faces delve into the 50 year career of Bob Monkhouse and attempt to discover the secret of Bob’s success. The series promises to give the audience “real insight” into Monkhouse through unseen footage, interviews with other comedians and his handwritten 12 book collection in which he meticulously catalogued thousands of jokes.
“Bob Monkhouse is a true great of British comedy. He was often seen as just a presenter and host but really he was a great stand up first and foremost”, said Steve North, General Manager of Gold. “Bob was a prolific writer, so it is incredibly exciting to have gained access to the enormous volume of work that he produced and it is a privilege for Gold to have the opportunity of crafting a show around these tomes.”
The three-parter is the latest original series for Gold, who in the past year commissioned Porridge: Inside Out, a wide range of Monty Python themed programming, as well as scripted series You, Me & Them. It is being produced by Rain Media Entertainment, with Colin Edmonds serving as the series producer. UKTV’s Commissioning Editor Simon Lupton and Rain Media Entertainment’s Mark Wells will executive produce.
“I’ve always been fascinated by how Bob seemed to have a joke for every occasion, and when I saw the books I realised that it was the result of the hard work of a genius”, added Lupton. “These books are an extraordinary legacy and a compelling insight into one of the finest comedians this country has ever produced. We are very privileged that Bob’s family and the person Bob entrusted the books to, Colin Edmonds, have for the first time granted such access to the books and his extensive archive. The GOLD audience is in for a rare, enthralling and hilarious treat.”