BEN ELTON'S FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE RETURNS TO CHANNEL 4 FOR ONE-OFF SPECIAL

Channel 4 late-night stand-up show Friday Night Live is to return to Channel 4 later this year to mark Channel 4's 40th anniversary.

The comedy show, which ran from 1985 to 1988, will return for a 90- minute special with Ben Elton as host.

The special programme will unite the hottest new wave stand-ups and character comedians alongside some original show legends in a dangerously live night of comedy, which has previously included Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie, French and Saunders, Harry Enfield and Julian Clary.

The programme was commissioned as part of a new slate of programming to celebrate Channel 4's 40th Anniversary.

Channel 4 controller Ian Katz said: "From musical satire about Prince Andrew to an exploration of cancel culture in art via men with very large penises, this season shows that Channel 4 is still as mischievous, disruptive and distinctive as when it was born 40 years ago...

"Instead of a nostalgia-thon of highlights from the last four decades, we are celebrating with a collection of irreverent, thought-provoking and hugely entertaining shows that no other broadcaster would air. If we must age, we plan to do it disgracefully."

More details will be revealed in due course.