UKTV channel Dave has commissioned a nostalgic series of England football specials for broadcast ahead of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Three new programmes will air on on UKTV’s self-styled ‘home of witty banter’ in the lead-up to the tournament, all of which will celebrate and commiserate the recent history of the England national football team with comment from footballing legends and comedy fans.
Narrated by popular British comedian Jason Manford and written by Paul Hawksbee, whose credits include Harry Hill’s TV Burp and Fantasy Football League, the three shows are entitled ‘England’s Top 19 Footy Heroes’, ‘England’s Top 53 Footy Goals’ and ‘England’s Top 39 Footy Gaffes’.
Airing in May ahead of the Brazil World Cup in the summer, each programme will feature famous faces and sports presenters taking a look back at some of England’s greatest footballing achievements and World Cup memories.
These include current BBC/ITV football hosts Gary Lineker and Adrian Chiles, sporting heroes Ian Wright, Lee Dixon, Michael Vaughan and former German star Didi Hamann, as well as TV personalities Alex Brooker, Jim Rosenthal, Phil Cornwell and Tom Rosenthal.
As well as comment from Britain’s much-loved comedians, pundits and sporting heroes the programmes will feature clips and highlights from the World Cups of years gone by.
The three part series will be produced by EVR, headed up by former ITV Sport controller Tony Pastor, and Pitch Productions.
UKTV Commissioning Editor Iain Coyle, who will executively produce on behalf of UKTV, said: “This rich mix of talking heads and brilliant clips met with sporting heroes and comedians will be a great build up to the World Cup and remind audiences why we all bask in the love/hate relationship with the England football team.”
Steve North, General Manager for Dave, believes the series will sit well on the channel in the lead up to the FIFA World Cup 2014.
“Offering our viewers a look back at some of England’s footballing highlights and downfalls seems like a natural fit for them and Dave.
“It’s a great opportunity for the channel to bring some of the top names in comedy and sports together and create a buzz ahead of the World Cup in the summer.”
EVR head, Tony Pastor said, “The team at Dave really love their football, and it’s brilliant that they’ve enabled us to bring together the best collection of modern-day England action ever assembled.
“I think people will be really surprised to see so much of the most memorable stuff, from Beckham’s stunning free-kick against Greece to Michael Owen’s astonishing goal at World Cup 98.
“It’s an absolute treat to be producing shows about the England football team, everyone wants to talk about their heroes and where they were when Gazza cried.”
Launched in 2007 by UKTV as the successor to UKTV G2, Dave’s adult viewing share grew by 20% last year and is now the most watched non-public service channel in the UK, reaching over 27 million adults every month.
The 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil will be broadcast exclusively live on free-to-air television with the BBC and ITV sharing coverage of the four week football extravaganza, starting on June 12.
Visit the official Dave website for more information about its programming.
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