New Series UNSPUN WITH MATT FORDE Extends to Eight Episodes

Following a Best Entertainment Programme nomination from the Broadcast Digital Awards, UNSPUN WITH MATT FORDE returns to Dave with an extra three episodes commissioned, starting from Sunday 28th January at 10pm. For the first time this highly topical political comedy chat show recorded on the same evening of transmission will also have an extended in-depth version, Unspun XL with Matt Forde, put out on the channel later that week taking the run to 8x30' and 8x60'.

Matt Forde said, "One of the great benefits of the impending global recession, rising sea levels and a nuclear war is that I get to sit behind a desk and make snarky comments about it all and I think we'd all agree that's a price worth paying"

The former Labour Advisor turned stand-up comedian will once again offer his sharp take on breaking news and current affairs alongside delving in to the more human side of Britain's leading political figures through in-studio interviews. Over the last three series, Matt has enjoyed guests including Tony Blair impersonating an Italian Prime Minister's reaction to a fatal lase of diplomacy involving a pizza tie, Harriet Harman pinpointing previous shadow health minister Robin Cook totally misconstruing a trip to the cinema with her children for a jaunt at the other end of the spectrum and Anne Widdicombe opening up about joining an altogether different pantomime featuring Basil Brush after leaving Parliament. In addition to Matt tackling some of the biggest stories in politics including EU divorce bills, Westminster hatches and DISPATCHES and the impending impeachment of Donald Trump (the last one might be wishful thinking), he'll also be joined by special guest comedians to unpick the week's events and no episode would be complete without the backing of the country's only rock band made up of current and former politicians, MP4.

Richard Watsham, UKTV director of commissioning, said, "I'm pleased to be supersizing Unspun with two TXs a week so that the show's loyal and growing fan base can get even more brilliant satire from the talented Matt Forde. We're proud to be making something funny and intelligent that is unlike anything else on British TV."

Luke Hales, Dave channel director, said, "We know Dave viewers are hugely engaged with the world of politics, and it's great for the channel that we can be so topical with such an informed and entertaining comedian as Matt at the helm."

Jon Thoday, Avalon managing director, said, "We are delighted to be working with UKTV once again on Unspun. It is great to see a British broadcaster allowing boundaries to be pushed with political comedy and giving Matt even more freedom to delve into the ever-changing landscape of global politics."

Series four of Unspun with Matt Forde is ordered by Richard Watsham and Steve North, genre general manager, comedy and entertainment. Executive producers for UKTV are senior commissioning editor Iain Coyle and commissioning executive Joe McVey, and Jon Thoday and Richard Allen Turner for Avalon Television. The news follows another hugely successful year for Dave's UKTV Original commissions, with returning favourites such as BAFTA and Emmy-nominated Taskmaster - which aired a Champions of Champions special last month - Red Dwarf XII, Dave Gorman's Modern Life Is Goodish and Zapped, alongside brand new Porters, The Joy of Techs, Eat Your Heart out with Nick Helm and Ross Noble: Off Road. In 2018 Dave will also be airing Yianni: Supercar Customiser and series three of Dara O Briain's Go 8 Bit as well as more live boxing in association with Hayemaker Ringstar.

Unspun with Matt Forde starts Sunday, 28th January at 10pm.

Unspun XL with Matt Forde starts Wednesday 31st January at 11pm.

Series 1-3 of Unspun With Matt Forde are available to watch now on UKTVPlay