Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

Gold celebrates Blackadders 40th Anniversary

21/04/2023

UKTV today announces that its comedy channel Gold will dedicate the month of June to celebrating the much-loved comedy series Blackadder, as the iconic show celebrates its 40th anniversary on June 15th.

As part of the celebrations Gold has commissioned two brand new UKTV Originals, including Blackadder: The Lost Pilot (1x 80), produced by Red Sauce, and Blackadder: A Cunning Story (1x120) produced by Tiger Aspect (a Banijay UK company).

In Blackadder: The Lost Pilot Sir Tony Robinson goes on a quest to discover the truth behind the Blackadder origin story. Tonys journey takes him back in time to find out where Blackadder really began, and to uncover the story of the never-before-broadcast Blackadder pilot episode.

Its a personal story for Tony - Baldrick has defined his career and playing the character transformed his life. But Tony didnt play Baldrick in the pilot. And theres so much about Blackadders beginnings he doesnt know.

Along the way he will speak to comedy greats including the series creator and writer Richard Curtis and co-writer Ben Elton. The climax of the programme will be a special screening of the never-before-broadcast pilot.

Tony Robinson said:

Blackadder holds a special place in the nations heart and in mine too. Im delighted to be part of its 40th Birthday celebrations on Gold. Its been wonderful to journey back to where it all began and chat to some of the biggest names in comedy who made it all happen.

The second UKTV Original documentary Blackadder: A Cunning Story will take a look back at the making of the entire Blackadder series to commemorate the 40th anniversary, featuring contributions from Blackadders biggest fans including Jack Whitehall, Darren Harriott, Sarah Hadland, Ardal OHanlon and Nina Wadia.

Both documentaries are commissioned for UKTV by commissioning editor Kirsty Hanson and ordered by Gerald Casey, channel director for Gold and Hilary Rosen, director of commissioning. Blackadder: The Lost Pilot will be produced by Red Sauce, and the producer is Owen Braben. Blackadder: A Cunning Story will be produced by Tiger Aspect, and the executive producers are Sarah Fraser and David Simpson, and producer director is Clyde Holcroft.

Gerald Casey said:

Its such a thrill to be celebrating one of the UKs best-loved series with this huge milestone. Blackadder is beloved by our Gold audience and still going strong on the channel, and Im so happy to bring them something really special this June. True to form there will be big laughs guaranteed!

Kirsty Hanson said:

Blackadder is a comedy icon, and we are proud to be celebrating 40 years with two fantastic new shows. With a TV first and some of the biggest names in comedy coming to the channel, viewers are in for a treat this Summer.

Tom Edwards, creative director at Red Sauce for Blackadder: The Lost Pilot said:

As a lifelong Blackadder fan, craving new material since it ended 30 years ago, I was beyond excited to learn of the existence of the lost pilot. Were so thrilled to share that in full with viewers, along with the thoughts and feelings of an amazing cast of stars, as well as Tonys own very personal perspective.

Sarah Fraser executive producer at Tiger Aspect for Blackadder: A Cunning Story said:

Tiger comedy has a rich heritage, and we are happy to be a part of this special celebration, featuring some top talent and newer fans of Blackadder. All bringing a fascinating insight into how this legendary series was made and still stands up today.

Gold will celebrate Blackadders 40th anniversary throughout June with episodes from all four series stripped across weeknights, with the new commissions airing the week of the anniversary. Blackadders boxset will also be available on Sky, Virgin and Now.

For more information, please contact:

Caroline Watt, consumer publicity manager

About Gold

Dedicated to celebrating the best of British comedy, Gold is the nations favourite comedy channel. Classic British comedy series loved by all the family sit comfortably alongside new UKTV Original scripted comedies crafted by some of the nations finest comedic minds, such as Dads Army: The Lost Episodes, Murder, They Hope, The Cockfields and Sandylands. Meanwhile Golds unscripted series reunite the stars and partnerships of the nations best-loved shows to get to the heart of what makes them so evergreen - from passion projects such as French & Saunders: Funny Women, Billy Connolly Does..., Lenny Henrys Race Through Comedy and Ricky and Ralfs Very Northern Road Trip to the retrospective likes of dinnerladies diaries and The Fast Show: Just A Load of Blooming Catchphrases.

Gold is the perfect tonic to make you laugh whatever the time of day.

gold.uktv.co.uk | @goldchannel

About UKTV

UKTV has been at the forefront of branded television for over 30 years, entertaining the nation with programmes they love. Its leading brands - Dave, Gold, W, Drama, Alibi, Eden and Yesterday - span comedy, entertainment, natural history, factual and drama, and are delivered to audiences through UKTV Play, Freeview, Sky, Virgin Media, BT, TalkTalk, YouView, Freesat and Amazon Fire. The broadcaster is a significant investor in British creativity and is committed to working with new and established writers, directors and programme-makers.

UKTV is part of BBC Studios, the UKs most-awarded production company, a world-class distributor with international branded services, and a commercial subsidiary of the worlds leading public service broadcaster, the BBC.

corporate.uktv.co.uk | press.uktv.co.uk | @uktvpress
LINK: https://corporate.uktv.co.uk/news/article/gold-celebrates-blackadders-...
See more stories from uktv

More from UKTV

08/05/2025

Will Mellor & Ralf Little return to U&Dave for more Will & Ralf Should Know Better

Comedy and entertainment channel U&Dave bring back their #1 ranked programme of ...

07/05/2025

U&GOLD commissions feature-length documentary celebrating the life of Victoria Wood

UKTV has ordered a feature length documentary celebrating the life of Britain...

30/04/2025

Re-imagined series of Bergerac set to return to U and U&DRAMA in 2026

Damien Molony will head back to Jersey for a second series of Bergerac, written by Toby Whithouse alongside Ashley Sanders, Emilie Robson and Faebian Averies D...

29/04/2025

UKTV acquires UK premiers of The Hunting Party and Allegiance in deal with NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution

UKTV has acquired the UK premiers of The Hunting Party, the new hit crime proced...

25/04/2025

Hit DOG-umentary Pete Wicks: For Dogs' Sake is recommissioned by U&W for two more series, plus a Christmas special!

Hit DOG-umentary Pete Wicks: For Dogs' Sake is recommissioned by U&W for two...

24/04/2025

The Count of Monte Cristo, starring Sam Claflin and Jeremy Irons, to premiere in the UK on U and U&DRAMA

Edmond Dant s (Sam Claflin) The eight-part miniseries will be available this Su...

22/04/2025

New images released for upcoming Mitford sisters drama, Outrageous

The six-part series will be available on U and U&DRAMA from 19th June Outrageous is produced by Firebird Pictures and created and written by Sarah Williams (L...

07/04/2025

Robson Green takes viewers on the World's Most Amazing Walks in new series for U&YESTERDAY

New series from BBC Studios Specialist Factual Productions will see the presente...

18/03/2025

Virgin Media O2 & UKTV renew long-standing partnership

Virgin Media O2 and UKTV have renewed their long-standing partnership in the UK with a multi-year deal securing carriage for UKTV's highly popular pay chann...

03/02/2025

UKTV acquires UK premier of Side Hustlers for U and U&W in deal with ITV Studios

UKTV has acquired the UK premier of Side Hustlers, the US business reality series produced by Reese Witherspoon's production company Hello Sunshine, part of...

27/01/2025

UKTV braves Cape Carnage: Killer Catch in new adventure series for U&Dave

One family's extreme existence working the treacherous northern waters of Australia is the subject of new series from McAvoy Media. UKTV has commissioned a...

20/01/2025

Guy Garvey gets a Proper Job on new U&Dave TV show

Elbow lead singer and Radio 6 Music presenter, Guy Garvey, provides the voiceover for a new TV series on U&Dave and free streaming service U later this month. ...

16/01/2025

UKTV's digital strategy reaps rewards as it doubles views to U streaming service in two years

UKTV more than doubles views to its free streaming service U in just two years (...

14/01/2025

UKTV Ventures partners with digital community for the over 50s, Rest Less, in airtime-for-equity deal

Leading multi-channel broadcaster UKTV has today announced it has invested in Re...

08/01/2025

UKTV and BBC Studios appoint Sophie Judge as Global Acquisitions Manager

UKTV and BBC Studios have appointed Sophie Judge to the role of Global Acquisitions Manager, further strengthening their combined expertise as a world-class hub...

19/12/2024

Teaser released for the re-imagined series of Bergerac on U and U&DRAMA

UKTV today releases a first look teaser for the upcoming re-imagined series of Bergerac (6x60') on U and U&DRAMA. The six-part U&Original series is produced...

18/12/2024

UKTV goes Down Under for double Prospero commission

UKTV has commissioned two new series from Prospero Productions. Brit Cops Down Under (8x60) for U&W and The Legend of Outback Gold (w/t) (6x60) for U&YESTERDAY ...

11/12/2024

UKTV appoints Emma Tibbetts as Director of Programming for Drama

UKTV has appointed Emma Tibbetts as its new Director of Programming for Drama, as it finalises changes to the structure of its programming team in line with pla...

03/12/2024

U&Gold Reveals Top 10 Topical Christmas Cracker Jokes for 2024!

Keir Starmer, Oasis & and Gareth Southgate all feature in this years top 10 gags TV channel U&Gold challenged the nation to come up with the best topical Chris...

21/11/2024

Divine artistry! The Vicar of Dibley celebrates 30 years, with unveiling of giant stained-glass inspired art installation

Installation includes hidden clues of the show's best and funniest moments a...

21/11/2024

DIVINE ARTISTRY!

THE VICAR OF DIBLEY CELEBRATES 30 YEARS, WITH UNVEILING OF GIANT STAINED-GLASS INSPIREDART INSTALLATION Installation includes hidden clues of the show's be...

07/11/2024

UKTV completes the rollout of new U Masterbrand with pay channels U&GOLD and U&alibi

UKTV has today completed the rollout of its new U Masterbrand with the commercia...

04/11/2024

Iconic Triumph Roadster returns for the re-imagined series of Bergerac on U and U&DRAMA

Jim Bergerac's iconic Triumph Roadster is set to feature in the upcoming re-...

22/10/2024

FIRST LOOK images released for upcoming Mark Gatiss drama Bookish on Alibi

UKTV today releases a selection of first look images for the upcoming U&Original series, Bookish (6x60') on specialist crime drama channel, Alibi. The brand...

10/10/2024

FIRST LOOK images released for Alibi and S4C's upcoming legal crime drama, Mudtown

UKTV today releases a selection of first look images for the upcoming U&Original...

08/10/2024

Gold welcomes viewers on Neil & Martin's Bon Voyage

Neil Morrissey and Martin Clunes are to reunite for factual entertainment series Neil & Martin's Bon Voyage (3x60') produced by Expectation for Gold, th...

24/09/2024

New episodes of Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators to premiere on Alibi before launching on BBC & iPlayer

Fan-favourite Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators has started filming ...

23/09/2024

Sky & UKTV extend multi-year partnership

- Renewed agreement sees UKTV pay channels, Alibi and Gold, together with its free channel portfolio, available to Sky customers - Gold & Alibi also available ...

19/09/2024

UKTV crowns the Classic Car Kings in new restoration series for U&YESTERDAY

UKTV has commissioned the new series, Classic Car Kings (6x60'), for leading factual channel U&YESTERDAY and free streaming service, U. The six-part series ...

18/09/2024

Line up revealed for World's Most Dangerous Roads S6

Johnny Vegas & Lucy Beaumont and Babatunde Al sh & Kae Kurd arethecomedians taking part in brand new episodes of World's Most Dangerous Roads, which return...

18/09/2024

TV channel Gold's Absolutely Fabulous: Inside Out is joined by celebrities Emma Bunton, Meera Syal, Ruby Wax and more

The nation's favourite comedy channel, Gold, is set to take a reflective loo...

17/09/2024

FIRST LOOK at Damien Molony in re-imagined series of Bergerac for U and U&DRAMA

UKTV today releases a selection of first look images captured in Jersey for the upcoming re-imagined series of Bergerac (6x60') for U and U&DRAMA. The six-p...

16/09/2024

UKTV joins BBC, ITV, Channel 4 & Channel 5 on Freely, the UK's new live and on demand streaming platform

UKTV and Everyone TV - the organisation leading the evolution of free TV in the ...

05/09/2024

FIRST LOOK: The Marlow Murder Club welcomes star-studded line-up of guest stars for second series on U and U&DRAMA

Nina Sosanya, Samantha Womack, Hugh Quarshie, Patrick Robinson and many more joi...

04/09/2024

UKTV acquires UK premiere for second series of the Italian Riviera set historical drama, Hotel Portofino on U and U&DRAMA

UKTV today announces the acquisition of Hotel Portofino (2 x 6x60') for U an...

28/08/2024

New series of Canal Boat Diaries sees Robbie return to where it all began

UKTV has commissioned another new series of Canal Boat Diaries (10x60) for leading factual channel U&YESTERDAY and free streaming service, U, having licensed th...

27/08/2024

FIRST LOOK images released for upcoming Chris Lang drama I, Jack Wright on Alibi

UKTV today releases a selection of first look images for the upcoming U&Original series, I, Jack Wright (6x60') on specialist crime drama channel, Alibi. Th...

22/08/2024

Katie Piper returns to U&W for new series, Katie Piper: Locked Up In Louisiana

Notorious New Orleans womens prison to open its doors for new documentary series. TV presenter, Katie Piper returns to U&W to once again uncover life for women...

22/08/2024

Guy Martin joins UKTV's roster of talent with his first U&Dave Original series

UKTV is excited to announce the commission of the new series, Guy Martin's P...

19/08/2024

U&DAVE'S JOKE OF THE FRINGE 2024

U&DAVE'S JOKE OF THE FRINGE 2024 10 FUNNIEST GAGS OF THE 2024 EDINBURGH FRINGE FESTIVAL REVEALED Comedian Mark Simmons wins U&Dave's Funniest Joke of...

15/08/2024

FIRST LOOK images released for Outrageous on U and U&DRAMA

UKTV today releases a selection of first look images for the upcoming U&Original series, Outrageous (6x60') on U and U&DRAMA. The brand-new drama, created a...

01/08/2024

Live auction special and more as U goes back Under the Bonnet with Bangers & Cash

UKTV's free streaming service, U, to get exclusive Bangers & Cash specials f...

31/07/2024

Special Ops: To Catch a Criminal renewed for further 8 episode run

UKTV has commissioned popular factual label Red Sauce, part of Zinc Media Group, to make a further two seasons of its gritty factual series Special Ops: To Catc...

24/07/2024

W commissions brand-new docu-reality series The Young Midwives of Essex

UKTV has commissioned The Young Midwives of Essex (8x60) from Firecracker Films (Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over, Emma Willis: Delivering Babies). This brand-new docu...

23/07/2024

Pete Wicks to front brand new DOG-umentary for U and U&W

UKTV has commissioned brand-new Pete Wicks: For Dogs' Sake (4x60') for free-to-air entertainment channel U&W, and recently rebranded free streaming serv...

22/07/2024

Wheelie Good Portraits mark the new series of World's Most Dangerous Roads

Portraits of Joe Swash, Chris Kamara and Angela Barnes created using scrap car parts Portraits of Joe Swash, Chris Kamara and Angela Barnes made entirely of sc...

22/07/2024

W commissions brand-new docu-reality series The Real Midwives of Essex

UKTV has commissioned The Real Midwives of Essex (8x60) from Firecracker Films (Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over, Emma Willis: Delivering Babies). This brand-new docu-...

22/07/2024

UKTV licenses six shows from Disney Entertainment for Alibi, Drama, Dave and UKTV Play

A Small Light, Mike, Alaska Daily, The Company You Keep, Sons of Anarchy S1-7, B...

22/07/2024

UKTV Ventures partners with online care marketplace, Elder, in airtime-for-equity deal

Award-winning broadcaster UKTV has today announced it has invested in the award-...