Channel 4 to air lost Peter Cook and Dudley Moore sketches

A number of previously lost sketches featuring Peter Cook and Dudley Moore, recovered by film archivists, are to be screened as part of a Channel 4 special later this month. The documentary sees fans, friends and old colleagues watch the newly-found clips for the very first time.

In the 1970s, some three quarters of the material filmed for Cook and Moore’s series Not Only, But Also was wiped from the archives. Many of the sketches were thought to have been lost forever. However, a recent discovery by film archivists uncovered a number of sketches from the UK and Australia, some of which haven’t been seen since they were first broadcast over fifty years ago.

This one-off documentary will include contributions from Not Only, But Also producer Dick Clement, Pete & Dud collaborator Barry Humphries and long-time fans including Richard Ayoade, Josie Lawrence and Ronnie Wood as they sit down to enjoy the sketches and reflect on the career of one of Britain’s most-loved comedy partnerships.

Richard Dean, Producer/Director of the documentary at Phil McIntyre Television comments: “It’s testament to their writing that these sketches have stood the test of time and I hope this documentary inspires a new generation of Peter Cook & Dudley Moore fans.”

Helen Cooke, Commission Editor, Features at Channel 4 adds: “Channel 4 is hugely proud to be able to showcase and celebrate these precious finds and rediscover what made Pete and Dud so brilliant. The programme promises to be a celebratory look back at two irrepressible British comedy icons at the top of their game.”

Commenting on the discovery of these sketches, Dick Fiddy, TV archivist for the British Film Institute adds: “Pete and Dud are British comedy royalty. Any recovered material from them is a major cause of celebration.”

Peter Cook & Dudley Moore: The Missing Sketches will air on New Year’s Eve on Channel 4.