UKTV Gold in 'Funniest' commission

UKTV Gold has commissioned a year-long series, When Were We Funniest?, seeking to find the funniest decade of comedy in the last 50 years.

The series is the channel's largest ever commission and involved a multi-million pound deal with producers BBC Entertainment.

Twelve two-hour programmes will feature comedians including Jo Brand, Martin Freeman, Phill Jupitus and Meera Syal encounraging the public to vote for their favourite decade of comedy between the 1960s and the present day. Monthly specials and clip shows will showcase a variety of comedy highlights including Hancock's Half Hour and Spike Milligan's Q.

"This massive new series will spark a national debate about Britain’s position as the world’s best humorists," said UKTV Gold channel head Paul Moreton. "I’m thrilled to add this superb raft of comedy talent to UKTV Gold’s undisputed riches."

The series will get underway on February 28 with a studio-based launch show hosted by Alexander Armstrong.