Friday Night Live announces star-studded line-up for Channel 4 return

And as well as some familiar faces, the line-up for the special also includes a range of comedians who have risen to fame since the original run – with the likes of Rosie Jones, Mawaan Rizwan, Jordan Gray, Ronni Ancona, and Sam Campbell all taking part.

A statement released by Channel 4 reads: "For one night only, Ben Elton is back as ringmaster to reunite the game-changing architects of anarchy who broke through in the 80s and blend their ground-breaking comedy exploits with today's trailblazers currently storming the circuit."

The special is just one part of an extensive slate of programming that Channel 4 says will salute its "radical, irreverent and iconoclastic roots".

Other highlights from the schedule include a satirical musical about Prince Andrew, a 75-minute look at the British monarchy and its future from Frankie Boyle, and a one-off documentary about the limits of free speech titled What is a Woman?

Meanwhile, there will also be a show in which Jimmy Carr explores cancel culture, a documentary about those who struggle with their penis size, and a documentary about a woman who fled the Taliban and became a successful porn performer.

Speaking about the slate when it was first announced, Channel 4's programme boss Ian Katz said that it was "a collection of irreverent, thought-provoking and hugely entertaining shows that no other broadcaster would air."

Channel 4 was founded as a free-to-air public service back in 1982, however former Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries announced plans for privatisation of the broadcaster earlier in the year – with 63 per cent of RadioTimes.com readers saying that they didn't fully understand the implications of this move.

Friday Night Live will air on Friday 21^st October at 9pm on Channel 4 and All 4. Check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide to see what's on tonight.

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