UKTV Gold has announced new documentary series Bob Monkhouse: The Million Joke Man.

The three episodes will focus on Bob Monkhouse, the entertainer who worked as a comedian and presenter for over 50 years.

The channel explains: "Known to millions as a game show host, he was also an extremely popular stand-up comedian and skilled joke writer. A skill he took so seriously he meticulously catalogued thousands of jokes in twelve beautifully handwritten and illustrated volumes."

This will be the first TV series that Bob Monkhouse's estate has given total and unrestricted access to his personal archive.

Paul O'Grady (pictured), equipped with the original joke books, will attempt to discover the secret of Bob's success across the three hour-long episodes.

The channel explains: "From the books, to his fellow professionals, to a fascinating array of unseen footage, the audience will get a real insight into the extraordinary talent of Bob Monkhouse and the man with a million jokes."

Bob Monkhouse died on the 29th December 2003 aged 75. Aside from his work as a stand-up comedian, radio presenter, actor and chat show host, he was perhaps best known for fronting game and quiz shows including The Golden Shot, Celebrity Squares, Family Fortunes and Bob's Full House. He also played the lead role in the first Carry On film, Carry On Sergeant.

Steve North, General Manager of Gold, says: "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. 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."

Commissioner Simon Lupton adds: "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. 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."

Executive Producer Mark Wells comments: "We were extremely honoured that Bob Monkhouse's estate chose to give us total and unrestricted access to Bob's huge personal archive for this UKTV series. Bob's legendary joke books in particular have never properly been seen by a television audience, and Paul O'Grady has loved leafing his way through them and the other wonderful discoveries he's come across during the making of these programmes."

Bob Monkhouse: The Million Joke Man will be on Gold in 2015.