October is #blackhistorymonthuk and to celebrate I'll be writing a completely personal history of 20 of the most influential #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers in my life. Okay let's get started...
1 DEREK GRIFFITHS
To viewers of a certain age instantly recognisable. A loved – adored – kids’ TV presenter: they often are aren’t they, the perfect adult, kind and funny, shows you interesting things, never tells you off 1/3
#blackhistorymonthuk #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers
1 DEREK GRIFFITHSTo viewers of a certain age instantly recognisable. A loved – adored – kids’ TV presenter: they often are aren’t they, the perfect adult, kind and funny, shows you interesting things, never tells you off 1/3 #blackhistorymonthuk #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers
1 DEREK GRIFFITHSTo viewers of a certain age instantly recognisable. A loved – adored – kids’ TV presenter: they often are aren’t they, the perfect adult, kind and funny, shows you interesting things, never tells you off 1/3 #blackhistorymonthuk #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers
1 DEREK GRIFFITHSTo viewers of a certain age instantly recognisable. A loved – adored – kids’ TV presenter: they often are aren’t they, the perfect adult, kind and funny, shows you interesting things, never tells you off 1/3 #blackhistorymonthuk #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers
I was slightly too old for his early Play School/Play Away incarnations but remember him from numerous in soaps, movies like Up Pompeii and a ton of sitcoms. 2/3
#BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #blackhistorymonthuk
Like so many of the people we'll be looking at this month, Griffiths is also a talented musician. He wrote a lot of the music for Bod, and was a singer in his own right. 3/3 #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #blackhistorymonthuk
Like so many of the people we'll be looking at this month, Griffiths is also a talented musician. He wrote a lot of the music for Bod, and was a singer in his own right. 3/3 #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #blackhistorymonthuk
Like so many of the people we'll be looking at this month, Griffiths is also a talented musician. He wrote a lot of the music for Bod, and was a singer in his own right. 3/3 #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #blackhistorymonthuk
Celebrating my Top 20 #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers as part of #BlackHistoryMonth

2 JOCELYN JEE ESIAN
I worked with Jocelyn when she was starting out and she was a brilliant guest on what might have been her stand-up debut on the topical TV show Blouse And Skirt...
@LilMisJocelyn made two great shows 10-15 years ago: hidden camera 3 Non Blondes + lovely character-driven sketch Little Miss Jocelyn. Plus a 1 Non Blonde follow up in 2010. Time for a new series...? #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonth
Today's #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers celebrated as part of #BlackHistoryMonth
3 TRIX WORRELL Trix’s impact on black British TV comedy has been huge. He created Desmond’s, one of the most successful Channel 4 sitcoms, the longest running in the channel’s history. 1/3
He went on to create the spin-off Porkpie starring Ram John Holder. Trix made the oft-taken journey of talented British black writers and performers and worked as a writer and producer in Hollywood for many years. #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonth 2/3
Haven’t seen him in 25 years but according to Wikipedia, he is (like all us 60something children of immigrant families) writing his first novel. #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonth 3/3
Day 4 celebrating #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers for #BlackHistoryMonth
4 GARY WILMOT @garywilmotactor is one of those multi-talented singer-dancer-mimic-comic types best known for hosting Saturday evening TV shows but has enjoyed an amazing career on the West End stage. 1/5
Gary's family were in showbiz (his dad was a professional singer) but like many comedy stars he was dyslexic, and ended up working on a building site. His breakthrough came thanks to the BGT of our generation, New Faces 2/5 #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonth
It wasn't an easy start. "It was only when I came into musical theatre that I became aware of people saying 'He's black, he can't play that' or 'They're white, they can't do that'."
3/5 #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonth
His big break was Me And My Girl. Over the next 30 years he broke those barriers and played a massive range of characters: Fagin, Caracticus Potts and many others from the great musicals.
4/5 #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonth
His big break was Me And My Girl. Over the next 30 years he broke those barriers and played a massive range of characters: Fagin, Caracticus Potts and many others from the great musicals.4/5 #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonth
His big break was Me And My Girl. Over the next 30 years he broke those barriers and played a massive range of characters: Fagin, Caracticus Potts and many others from the great musicals.4/5 #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonth
His big break was Me And My Girl. Over the next 30 years he broke those barriers and played a massive range of characters: Fagin, Caracticus Potts and many others from the great musicals.4/5 #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonth
His big break was Me And My Girl. Over the next 30 years he broke those barriers and played a massive range of characters: Fagin, Caracticus Potts and many others from the great musicals.4/5 #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonth
Comedy musicals bring hugely diverse audiences to theatre and they're our lifeblood. It's tragic they're being left to die. I hope they - and Gary - come back soon. 5/5 #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonth
Coming to the end of the first week of my personal choice of the 20 most influential #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers as part of #BlackHistoryMonth Thanks for all your interest so far.

5 CURTIS WALKER
Who’s the funniest man in Britain? @CurtisWalkerDon is easily in my top 5. 1/5
If you want to know what the "Don" refers to in his handle, think “The Godfather” – this is not arrogance on Curtis’s part, it’s how the black comedy audiences see him. 2/5
#BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonth
You may only know him from TV sketch show The Real McCoy, but as a stand-up Curtis has the ability to articulate what everyone’s thinking about what’s going on in the world and then make it funny. #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonth 3/5
I hope stand-up comes back soon because there is no experience quite like going to an evening of black stand-up comedy, and if Curtis is on the bill he blows you away.
#BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonth 4/5
Happily you can see the master in action right now - every Sunday, live on Facebook! With @EddieNestorMBE and @angielemar https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2994793770627002
#BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonth 4/5
Welcome to WEEK 2 of my personal take on 20 top #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers as part of #BlackHistoryMonth 1/8
To recap
1 DEREK GRIFFITHS
2 JOCELY JEE ESIAN @LilMisJocelyn
3 TRIX WORRELL
4 GARY WILMOT @garywilmotactor
5 CURTIS WALKER @CurtisWalkerDon
Which brings us to
6 CHARLIE WILLIAMS “me old flower” Loved hearing a comic on TV sounding normal. I’m from Leeds and before him the thought I'd work in comedy was as likely as becoming an astronaut.
But accent wasn’t why he stood out was it? 2/8 #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonth
Charlie was the first black lots of things: successful black comic on British TV, black quiz show host, black footballer for Doncaster Rovers. He never wanted that to be what defined him – sadly everyone else did. 3/8 #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonth
Charlie was the first black lots of things: successful black comic on British TV, black quiz show host, black footballer for Doncaster Rovers. He never wanted that to be what defined him – sadly everyone else did. 3/8 #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonth
Charlie was the first black lots of things: successful black comic on British TV, black quiz show host, black footballer for Doncaster Rovers. He never wanted that to be what defined him – sadly everyone else did. 3/8 #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonth
Not everyone was comfortable with his persona. Playwright Dotun Adebayo: “He was in a time and place and did what he had to do to survive. But that has consequences.” Also racists hated seeing a black man on TV. 4/8 #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonth
And the middle classes. There’s a sad moment in the lovely @IMcMillan radio doc where a posh presenter asks him to comment about him trading on white prejudices. His response is instantly recognisable as a laugh of despair. 5/8 #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonth
“Only one race as far as I’m concerned and that’s the human race," Charlie replied, "if I can make them all laugh I’ve done my job.”
6/8 #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonth
Wish he’d been around to hear the wise words of @RobertoBlake “It’s okay if you’re talking about your identity and you don’t get it right, especially in a world where you haven’t had permission to explore it.” 7/8 #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonth
As @IMcMillan points out, none of this mattered in Barnsley, where they loved him as one of their own, and thousands lined the streets for his funeral. This is a lovely radio show, listen if you can:
https://bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/b060bctv
8/8 #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonth
Welcome to today's #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers as part of #BlackHistoryMonth
7 MICHAELA COEL
Five years ago this month E4 broadcast Chewing Gum. Written by and starring @MichaelaCoel as a 24 year old trying to lose her virginity and understand how the world works 1/5
The show was an instant hit, and deservedly so.
1 It was funny
2 Blew away the well-meaning consensus that had held black comedians back (liberal producers nervous at showing flawed black comedy characters) 2/5 #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonthUK
I almost didn't include @MicahelaCoel as part of #BlackHistoryMonth but a lot of history has happened in five years. She is still very current, her show I May Destroy You described as the highlight of 2020 so far. 3/5 #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers
But equally important to past and present, Michaela is the future. She turned down a $1m deal with Netflix to hold on to her copyright
4/5
https://www.indiewire.com/2020/07/michaela-coel-turned-down-netflix-million-dollar-offer-1234571456/
#BlackHistoryMonth #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers
Michaela Coel Turned Down Netflix’s $1 Million Offer for ‘I May Destroy You’ Over Ownership

Coel walked away from Netflix after the streamer refused to allow her to retain any percentage of the show's copyright.

https://www.indiewire.com/2020/07/michaela-coel-turned-down-netflix-million-dollar-offer-1234571456/
With giant corporations dominating comedy and government seeking to cancel the BBC, it's getting harder for comic talent to hold on to their creative integrity. Michaela shows us it can be done! 5/5
#BlackHistoryMonth #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers
Today's #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers is neither of these but she's a director and number 8 on my randomly compiled list
8 PAULETTE RANDALL
You might not have heard of Paulette but few have done as much to encourage black British comedy. #BlackHistoryMonthUK 1/4
She is mainly a theatre director (and was the first black director of a West End show) but directed Desmond’s and has been a constant source of energy ensuring more black shows made it to TV. Real McCoy, Porkpie, Crouches
#BlackHistoryMonth #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers 2/4
She’s probably best known for her amazing work with Danny Boyle on one of the most memorable stagings in our country’s history: the 2012 Olympics opening ceremony 3/4
#BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonth
"I do have a track record now, but am still so disappointed there aren't more of me out there."
#BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonth
4/4
"I do have a track record now, but am still so disappointed there aren't more of me out there." #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonth 4/4
"I do have a track record now, but am still so disappointed there aren't more of me out there." #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonth 4/4
"I do have a track record now, but am still so disappointed there aren't more of me out there." #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonth 4/4
"I do have a track record now, but am still so disappointed there aren't more of me out there." #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonth 4/4
Okay ahead of tomorrow's #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers choice of comic, as part of #BlackHistoryMonth I've written an Audit Of Me: https://www.chortle.co.uk/correspondents/2020/10/14/47101/how_much_of_my_success_as_a_comedy_writer_has_been_down_to_white_male_privilege%3F
#BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonth
9 BENJAMIN ZEPHANIAH One of the nation's greatest poets, in my early stand-up days he was often on comedy bills. Humour and warmth shine through all his work, as this recent article shows.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/oct/12/black-people-history-respected-teachers-police-benjamin-zephaniah 1/6
Black people will not be respected until our history is respected | Benjamin Zephaniah

My teachers, and the police who beat me up, all thought our past had no value. But now there’s hope things might change, says poet Benjamin Zephaniah

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/oct/12/black-people-history-respected-teachers-police-benjamin-zephaniah
Like many comics he was dyslexic, labeled ignorant because of his inability to read or write. 14 poetry books 10 novels later the joke's on them. 60s/70s education wasn’t all bad but when we got it wrong boy did we mess up 2/6
#BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonth
Like many comics he was dyslexic, labeled ignorant because of his inability to read or write. 14 poetry books 10 novels later the joke's on them. 60s/70s education wasn’t all bad but when we got it wrong boy did we mess up 2/6 #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonth
Like many comics he was dyslexic, labeled ignorant because of his inability to read or write. 14 poetry books 10 novels later the joke's on them. 60s/70s education wasn’t all bad but when we got it wrong boy did we mess up 2/6 #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonth
Like many comics he was dyslexic, labeled ignorant because of his inability to read or write. 14 poetry books 10 novels later the joke's on them. 60s/70s education wasn’t all bad but when we got it wrong boy did we mess up 2/6 #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonth
Like many comics he was dyslexic, labeled ignorant because of his inability to read or write. 14 poetry books 10 novels later the joke's on them. 60s/70s education wasn’t all bad but when we got it wrong boy did we mess up 2/6 #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonth
In 2003 @BZephaniah was offered the OBE, which he turned down: “no way Mr Blair, no way Mrs Queen. I am profoundly anti-empire". You can see how having “British Empire” attached to his name could be problematic... 3/6
#BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonth
But researching this month, and seeing who have taken honours: Paulette Randall, Eddie Nestor, Rudolph Walker and many more:
1 Not one of them is diminished by the honour 4/6
#BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonth
But researching this month, and seeing who have taken honours: Paulette Randall, Eddie Nestor, Rudolph Walker and many more:1 Not one of them is diminished by the honour 4/6 #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonth
But researching this month, and seeing who have taken honours: Paulette Randall, Eddie Nestor, Rudolph Walker and many more:1 Not one of them is diminished by the honour 4/6 #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonth
But researching this month, and seeing who have taken honours: Paulette Randall, Eddie Nestor, Rudolph Walker and many more:1 Not one of them is diminished by the honour 4/6 #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonth
2 Ensures you see more black people walk through the gates of Buckingham Palace than most big companies or govt offices
3 Without resolving deep issues over Empire at least acknowledges the starting point of a new dialogue
#BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonth
5/6
4 Associates them with those honoured for defeating Nazis 80 years ago
5 Winds up racists

Go on Ben! Grab that medal, wave it in Farage’s face and ask him if he's ever done anything worthy of honouring by his home country #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonth 6/6
Final celebration this week of #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers as part of #BlackHistoryMonth
10 FELIX DEXTER Who died seven years ago this week, was a top comic and a good friend. Ace live performer, and after big success as part of the Real McCoy team much was expected. 1/4
We toured together for 2 years in the 80s. He was one of few black comics, carried the weight of expectation lightly: from black people and college audiences. Many had never met a black person let alone seen one perform. #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonth 2/4
He made two great pilots in 1995 and 96, big funny shows that bafflingly never went to series. He was excellent in Down The Line on R4 and Citizen Khan on BBC1, but died at 52 still with so much to give. #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers #BlackHistoryMonth 3/4
I know he'd be chuffed that the BBC have a Felix Dexter Bursary Award, and he'd have been delighted with the choice of @athenakugblenu One theme keeps cropping up in this thread: #BlackHistoryMonth is as much about the future as the past. #BlackWritersAndComedyPerformers 4/4
You can follow @DaveCohencomedy.
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