Channel 4 has acquired six episodes of Virgin Radio UK’s YouTube show, TFI Friday Unplugged, once again fronted by former Piccadilly Radio presenter Chris Evans, who originally produced and hosted the anarchic chat show for a five-year run on Channel 4 from 1996. TFI also had a previous Channel 4 revival in 2016.
The weekly series will make its debut across Channel 4 at 11pm Friday 17th April and will also be available to stream for free on Channel 4 and on Channel 4 YouTube.
The first episode to go out on Channel 4 will feature Sam Ryder, Shreya Ghoshal, Jack Savoretti, Sindhu Vee, Gemma Arterton, Peter Capaldi and Cush Jumbo.
Channel 4’s Cimran Shah, said: “TFI Friday was doing stripped-back, personality-led chat long before visualised-podcasts were a twinkle in our eyes! I’m thrilled that this deal brings TFI back to Channel 4, reimagined in a way that feels fresh, immediate and perfectly suited for a new generation wherever they watch Channel 4.”
Dennie Morris, director of audio, news broadcasting, News UK added: “TFI Friday is one of those rare formats that never really left the cultural conversation, and we’re proud to see this iconic title – and the genius of Chris Evans – find its way back to Channel 4 reimagined through Virgin Radio UK’s TFI Unplugged. We look forward to audiences rediscovering what made the show so special, wherever and however they choose to watch.”
Originally a defining show of 1990s British television, TFI Friday became synonymous with live music, irreverent interviews and unpredictable moments. The new Unplugged version from Virgin Radio retains that DNA while embracing a more intimate, contemporary format.
Warrington native Evans was an ever-present on the Britpop and lad mag-dominated media and pop culture scene of the 90s. He began his career at Manchester’s Piccadilly Radio in the early 80s, initially as a sidekick to Timmy Mallett, moving on to presenting the new Channel 4 breakfast show The Big Breakfast alongside Gaby Roslin in 1992, and the (then) coveted Radio 1 breakfast slot in 1995, negotiating a rare-at-the-time agreement for a major Radio 1 show to be produced independently, by Evans’ own Ginger Productions, rather than the usual in-house deal. Other notable TV and radio gigs for Evans over the years have included Top Gear, Radio 2 Breakfast and The One Show.
By 2000 he was the UK’s highest paid entertainer, according to the Sunday Times Rich List, following the £225m sale of Ginger Media to Scottish Media Group (now STV), and he has consistently remained in the upper echelons of media earners since.
TFI Friday Unplugged was acquired by Cimran Shah, Commissioning Editor, Reality Entertainment at Channel 4.
