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Channel 4 reviving 'The Big Breakfast' for one off special fronted by Mo Gilligan

Mo Gilligan on stage during the comedy night of the Teenage Cancer Trust annual concert series, at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Picture date: Tuesday March 20th, 2018. Photo credit should read: Matt Crossick/ EMPICS Entertainment.
Mo Gilligan on stage during the comedy night of the Teenage Cancer Trust annual concert series, at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Picture date: Tuesday March 20th, 2018. Photo credit should read: Matt Crossick/ EMPICS Entertainment.

The Big Breakfast is making a comeback to Channel 4 for a one-off special fronted by Mo Gilligan.

It's being revived a part of a special day of programming on the channel to showcase Black talent, Black Takeover Day.

Gilligan, 32, said: "Like so many of us, I loved The Big Breakfast and I am so grateful to be asked to host this special event, particularly as part of such a hugely thrilling and history making day for British television!"

Read more: Mo Gilligan joins The Masked Singer judging panel

The show originally ran for 10 years between 1992 to 2002, airing on weekday mornings. Over the years it featured presenters including Chris Evans, Gaby Roslin, Johnny Vaughan, Denise van Outen and Kelly Brook.

Johnny Vaughan, presenter of Channel 4 morning television show 'The Big Breakfast', with his new co-host Kelly Brook at the studio in East London, UK, 12th January 1999. (Photo by Colin Davey/Getty Images)
Johnny Vaughan, presenter of Channel 4 morning television show 'The Big Breakfast', with his new co-host Kelly Brook at the studio in East London, UK, 12th January 1999. (Photo by Colin Davey/Getty Images)

Black Takeover Day, set for broadcast in 2021, will also see a Hollyoaks special written, directed and performed by Black talent.

It comes after cast member Rachel Adedeji claimed she had experienced racism on the set of the programme as she criticised the show's response to the Black Lives Matter movement.

Production company Lime Pictures later laid out steps it would be taking to tackle racism and boost inclusivity.

Meanwhile, Celebrity Gogglebox, Countdown and Channel 4 News will feature all-Black talent line-ups.

Hollyoaks village sign (C4)
Hollyoaks village sign (C4)

Ian Katz, Director of Programmes said: “Channel 4 was created to give voice to underrepresented parts of society and do things which other broadcasters would not, and the Black Takeover qualifies on both counts.

"It will be much more than a day of eye-catching programming, providing a focal point for our efforts to drive up on and off screen representation and leaving a lasting legacy on the channel and beyond.”

Read more: Hollyoaks’ Talia Grant says black people are seen as 'disposable' in the industry

Channel 4 has said it is working with The Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity to help make "ambitious and meaningful" commitments off-screen to "leave a lasting legacy".

Marcus Ryder, Visiting Professor, Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity said: “We are excited about the prospect of working with Channel 4 on this project. The role of the Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity is to engage constructively with media stakeholders to help them create meaningful and long-term change.”