Ashley Blaker to return to Radio 4 for Series 2 of 6.5 Children

Wednesday 24th November 2021, 4:56pm

Ashley Blaker: 6.5 Children
  • Ashley Blaker: 6.5 Children is to return to Radio 4 in 2022 for four more episodes
  • Series 1 of the show - in which the comedian records his home life - proved to be a hit with audiences and the press
  • He says: "I am very grateful to BBC Radio 4 for once more putting their trust in me"

Radio 4 has commissioned a second series of Ashley Blaker: 6.5 Children, the show in which the stand-up comedian records his home life.

The new four-part series will be broadcast in 2022.

The producers explain: "The show is a mix of stand-up and comedic documentary, all recorded in the Blakers' unusual home with the voices of his real family, and tackles parenting, adoption and raising children with special needs.

"The first series of four half-hour episodes was broadcast in July 2021 to great acclaim. It quickly became the number one stand-up comedy show on BBC Sounds and garnered extensive praise in the press and across social media from listeners, other comedians and major disabilities and adoption charities such as Mencap, Sense and Adoption UK. The series was also Pick of the Day in The Sunday Times, Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday, Daily Telegraph, The i and Radio Times.

"The series brought a new perspective to parenting not least because three of the Blakers' children have special needs - two autistic boys and an adopted girl with Down Syndrome.

"The second series continues in the same vein with four new half-hour episodes which focus on family holidays; relationships with friends and neighbours; raising teenagers; and struggles with childcare."

Series 2 will be written and performed by Blaker, with his own children - Ami (17), Ophie (16), Simi (14), Soroh (13), Sruly (11) and Bina (7) - also confirmed for the new episodes.

Ashley Blaker: 6.5 Children. Copyright: Steve Ullathorne

Ashley Blaker says: "I was absolutely delighted that so many people enjoyed Series 1. It was especially heartwarming to read all the tweets and emails from other parents of children with special needs, as well as from other adopters, and fellow mums and dads whose children can't look after charger cables. I am very grateful to BBC Radio 4 for once more putting their trust in me. Our children are also thrilled as they have each signed up with new agents who I am told will be negotiating a big raise in their appearance fees!"

Steve Doherty, who produces via Giddy Goat Productions, adds: "Working with Ashley and his family was such fun. I can't wait to get the band back together. It was a real team effort with Ashley, his children and the team of pro performers who, together shed a comic light on a whole other world of parenting."

Ahead of Series 2, Blaker is set to tour a brand-new stand-up tour. Also titled Ashley Blaker: 6.5 Children, it'll tour from May, concluding with a full run at the 2022 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Dates and Tickets

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