BBC to screen black sitcom

The BBC has had black and Asian sketch shows

The BBC is to broadcast its first black sitcom later in the year, based on the life of a family in south-east London.

BBC One's The Crouches is described as an "upbeat, contemporary comedy" set in Walworth.

And the corporation says it has been made primarily because of its comic value.

There have been successful black sitcoms before on other channels, such as Desmonds, set in a barber shop, and No Problem. Black sitcoms imported from America have also been common on British television.

The Crouches stars Robbie Gee, who also appeared in Desmonds, as Roly Crouch who has been married to his childhood sweetheart Natalie (played by Jo Martin) for 18 years.

They are joined by two troublesome teenagers, Aiden and Adele, and parents Langley (Rudolph Walker) and Sylvie (Mona Hammond from EastEnders) as they enjoy the trials and tribulations of family life.

Don Warrington, of Rising Damp fame and more recently in BBC Two's Manchild, also features in the cast as Roly's workmate Bailey.

A BBC spokeswoman said: "It has been commissioned because it is funny and it is very much a part of BBC One - not simply because it is about a family who are black."

BBC One controller Lorraine Heggessey added: "This vibrant comedy will showcase the talents of some of Britain's best black actors and introduce new faces to a mainstream audience."

The Crouches is one of a number of new comedy shows which were unveiled at the Montreux Television Festival this weekend.

They included a television version of Radio 4's surreal The Boosh, and a new quiz show with Jo Brand called Nobody Likes A Smart Ass.