Fern Brady, Darren Harriott and Ivo Graham star in British As Folk

Comics Fern Brady, Darren Harriott and Ivo Graham are to offer a ‘brutally honest’ guide to the UK’ in a new travelogue.

In British As Folk, which will air on Dave, the three comics will travel across the nation to investigate stereotypes and traditions.

Brady said: ‘As stand-ups who travel the length and breadth of the country we generally have a clearer picture of what various towns and regions in the UK are like than the average person. That’s why it was so cool to host this show with Darren and Ivo, as we represent a good cross-section of different regions of the UK as well as all being from totally different class backgrounds. 

‘Even though I knew the premise of the show was looking at British identity and stereotyped towns, the production team have really surprised us at every location so far with the activities we’re doing. 

‘As a Scot, I was convinced they’d get Glasgow wrong until I found myself doing working-class yoga with a load of painter decorators and electricians on a council estate, white water rafting while attempting to interview a comedian and learning wilderness survival skills with a guy who makes his own knives up a mountain."

Harriott added: I’m delighted to be co-hosting a travelogue on Dave with Fern and Ivo. Getting out of the flat is a massive bonus, never mind Glencoe, Cornwall, Yorkshire and the Welsh Valleys! And big thanks to Dave for all the food on the way, but please remember the camera puts on at least 20 pounds, nothing to do with Cornish cream, Welsh rarebit, Scotch Whisky and Yorkshire puds.’

And Graham said: ‘Travelling around the country with Fern and Darren has been a delight, although as the designated driver of our hired Nissan Elgrand, I have found that their constant stream of unbroadcastable comedy gossip makes it quite difficult to concentrate on the road.’

Six hour-long episodes, made by STV Studios, will air later this year.

Craig Hunter, creative director of factual at STV Studios, said: ‘As fearless young comedians, Fern, Ivo and Darren are all too aware of the labels placed on them and the labels they can place on others. They’re the perfect trio to explore why British culture is entrenched in stereotypes, and if these age-old perceptions are still relevant in 2021. British As Folk is a deep dive into what it means to be British in these remarkable times.

British As Folk is one of a swathe of comedy programmes announced by Dave today, also including Richard Ayoade’s Question Team; Tom Allen’s The Island; David Mitchell’s survival show Outsiders and a third series of Meet The Richardsons.

Made by: STV Studios 
Executive producers: Mark Iddon for UKTV and is Rosy Marshall-McCrae for STV studios
Developed by: Natalie Rose
Directed by: Marcus Liversedge
Series producer: Alex Gilman

Published: 5 May 2021