Brand new studio sitcom for Asian character 'Mr Khan'
Mr Khan, the self-appointed Asian 'community leader' character created by Adil Ray, has been awarded a BBC One sitcom, the corporation has confirmed.
Written by Adil Ray, Anil Gupta and Richard Pinto, Citizen Khan has been commissioned for a full run in 2012 following a successful pilot at the BBC's inaugural Salford Sitcom Showcase, which took place last week at the broadcaster's northern base.
The showcase was specifically designed to help foster and encourage a new generation of sitcoms to be recorded in front of a studio audience - although not necessarily new writing talent.
Mr Khan is described as a "self appointed community leader, future President of the Sparkhill Pakistani Business Association and esteemed expert on everything you never wanted to know about cricket." He has previously been seen in the BBC Two sketch show Bellamy's People, and heard in his own Radio 4 pilot, Sparkhill Sound, as well as in a series of short sketches on the BBC Comedy website.
Mark Freeland, the BBC's Head of Comedy, said: "From BBC Comedy online to Radio 4, now BBC One. Mr Khan cannot be stopped. We tried, but failed."
Cheryl Taylor, the Head of Comedy Commissioning, added: "The Salford Sitcom Showcase was designed to encourage more studio sitcoms to be produced and filmed in the North West. We are delighted that within one week of Adil Ray's phenomenal performance as Citizen Khan, the show has been commissioned as a six part series for BBC One. It will prove a wonderful companion piece to our other studio sensations - Mrs. Brown's Boys and Miranda."
After starting his career on pirate radio, Adil Ray has honed his skills with The Adil Ray Breakfast Show on the BBC's Asian Network radio station, and has presented factual programmes for both TV and radio.
The six-part Citizen Khan will be filmed at the BBC's new studios in Salford, Greater Manchester, for broadcast later in 2012.
A scene from the pilot performance featuring Adil Ray as Mr Khan
Here's one of Mr Khan's short sketches from the BBC Comedy website. In this one, he talks about Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg's Muslim roots.