Sketch group Absolutely to return to Radio 4

Wednesday 15th July 2015, 4:19pm

Absolutely. Copyright: The Comedy Unit

Absolutely, the comedy sketch group who created and starred in their own hit Channel 4 series in the 1990s, are making a new series for Radio 4.

The station confirmed today: "Pete Baikie, Morwenna Banks, Moray Hunter, Gordon Kennedy and John Sparkes are getting together again to revisit some of their much loved sketch characters for four brand new half hour shows."

The new radio series follows on from the group's well received reunion in 2013 for Radio 4's sketch showcase format Sketchorama. The resultant special episode went on to win in the Best Live Scripted Comedy category at the BBC Audio Drama Awards last year.

The four part series will be made jointly by Absolutely Productions and Sketchorama producers The Comedy Unit.

The producers confirm the episodes will feature "new material from some of the show's favourite characters." Adding: "Calum, Denzil and Gwynedd, The Little Girl and the Stoneybridge Town Council are likely to feature as they did so memorably two years ago."

Absolutely. Copyright: ABsoLuTeLy Productions

Absolutely (pictured) was a popular sketch show which ran on Channel 4 between 1989 and 1993. Comprising of a mainly Scottish cast, the programme ran for a total of 28 episodes and introduced the public to characters including Frank Hovis, Bert Bastard and Denzil & Gwynedd.

Executive Producer Gus Beattie told BCG he was "so pleased" the new radio series is going ahead, adding "the Absolutely team are brilliant to work with; a top, top crowd."

Beattie also commented: "The Absolutely team did an amazing job updating their much loved characters for the Sketchorama show, so I'm delighted to be involved in bringing a brand new Absolutely series to Radio 4."

Pete Baikie, Morwenna Banks, Moray Hunter, Gordon Kennedy and John Sparkes will join together to record the four new episodes across two nights. Jack Docherty, who starred in the original TV series but not the Sketchorama reunion, will once again be absent from proceedings though.

The shows will be recorded in front of a live audience at The Oran Mor venue in Glasgow on Wednesday 5th August and Sunday 6th September 2015. To apply to be in the audience email tickets@comedyunit.co.uk

The below video features footage from the 2013 Sketchorama recording:

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