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STILL MISSED: The original cast of The Real McCoy

READERS, I cannot stress enough how proud I am of those of you have taken the time to show your support for The Voice campaign to bring back The Real McCoy.

Since my first article hit the shelves on May 3 – encouraging readers to send in emails if they’d love to see the repeat or DVD release of the much-loved black British sketch show – I have received plenty of correspondence from those of you who are backing this campaign.

Further encouraged by this support, I got in touch with the BBC and was thrilled to secure an interview with the Beeb’s chief creative officer of vision productions, Patrick Younge.

DISCUSSION: The BBC’s Patrick Younge

In tomorrow’s Voice (May 17), the BBC boss – one of very few black members of senior staff at the broadcaster – speaks about black representation on the BBC; the importance of writers submitting new material; and – of course – the possibility of reviving The Real McCoy, which he says is “something we’re looking into.”

So readers, there is hope! Let’s keep this campaign going. If you’d like to see The Real McCoy repeated on TV or available to buy on DVD, please keep your emails coming. Email: davina.hamilton@gvmedia.co.uk

Read the full, excusive interview with Patrick Younge in The Voice tomorrow (May 17).

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Here are some of the responses The Voice campaign to bring back The Real McCoy has garnered so far:

* I read your piece regarding the debate over The Real McCoy and would love to lend our vote in your campaign to both BBC releasing it on DVD and airing it on TV. In fact, why is it not up for licence to air on other stations such OHTV? Thank you for reigniting the debate on this.
Jide Oriogun, director of the Black Cinema Club

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* I've just read the article in The Voice regarding The Real McCoy. I think it would be great if the Beeb produced a DVD of the series. I used to watch it with many of my friends, black and white, and found it very funny! I would love to buy it for my mum for Christmas!
Fraser Paul, via email

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* I would LOVE to see a rerun of the show, also for the series to be available on DVD. And I am not the only one wishing for this. If you look on Facebook you’ll see how many people have The Real McCoy down as their favourite programme – as if the programme is still running. The BBC needs more programmes like this, and we are way behind America when it comes to these types of programmes.
Nathaniel D, via email

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*I am one of the many who does not understand why this series has not been released on DVD. I would certainly buy it if it was available.
Vanessa Barker, via email

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* I think it is very obvious why The Real McCoy has been relegated to obscurity by the BBC. Think about it: today’s young, black generation have nothing of substance that genuinely highlights our culture, heritage and the beauty of expressing ourselves through acting, art and humour. Instead we have phoney characters in the soaps, who they depict to represent us in a negative manner. So I think that it serves the BBC’s interest better if the youth are left dumbed down by grime music and the continuous promotion of us as ignorant and materialistic. The Real McCoy would wake a lot of young black people up, and young people in general. If what I'm saying seems a little irrational, how comes all those old favourites for the majority ¬– Only Fools and Horses, Keeping Up Appearances, etc ¬– are continuously re-run? Just check UK Gold or BBC Three.
KB, via email

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* I am not often given to complaining, but on this occasion I share the view that I cannot see an acceptable reason for not showing The Real McCoy again. We are inundated with repeats of Fawlty Towers, albeit a good sitcom, yet the equally if not more entertaining Real McCoy has been absent from our screens for many years. I feel it is now time that the Beeb recognises the multicultural nature of the UK and be fair in providing a diversity of culturally sensitive entertainment. Bring Back The Real McCoy.
Pearline Jackson, via email

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* I’d dearly love to see a new Real McCoy. I’ve never understood why the BBC seem to go through phases of “ethnic” programming that only lasts five minutes. It’s like they have a quota to stick to. There needs to be a diverse consistency on British television that’s not only available to the few – and preferably not put on at 2am. So much talent gets wasted and lost because of these social blinkers.
Paolo Gambini, via email

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* I’ve heckled, I’ve shouted, I’ve even written countless emails with comments and reference to the fact that The Real McCoy should be made available to the public domain and made available on Blu-Ray or DVD. Please continue to fight for the entire series to made available. Thanks for all your hard work and efforts, a big fan.
Conrad, via email

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* I have been trying to find the shows on DVD for a very long time. I am very disappointed at it not being made available to buy or watch on TV, so I have had to make do with clips on YouTube. If at any time the show does become available to buy, I would appreciate it if I could be advised.
Sharon Kerr, via email

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* I would just like to say that The Real McCoy should return to our screens. I remember laughing so much when it was first on. I don’t know why they got rid of the show in the first place. We need more programmes on TV like that. A very big fan.
Garnett, via email

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* I would love a DVD of The Real McCoy. I thoroughly enjoyed the programme when it was on the BBC and I can say it was something that I looked forward to. My family and friends enjoyed sharing the jokes; we felt in touch with our culture. I often wonder what has happened to the black comedy programmes we used to see on the box.
Nadine Francis, via email

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* In response to the Voice article dated May 3, I am casting my vote for the show to be put on DVD. Good luck!
Sonia Malcolm, via email

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* I must say, as a London-born 41-year-old with Jamaican parents, there have been too few repeats of old, ethnically enriching shows, and no new productions from the BBC, who have a great responsibility in promoting black and Asian culture and educating the lazy populace who only watch TV to learn about other cultures, which are under their noses in the community. Let us see some fairness in repeat broadcasts and DVD availability of treasured productions too.
John Goffe, via email

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* Please please please please please please please please bring back The Real McCoy. I loved this quality comedy.
Lesley Willis, via email

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* I read with interest the article in The Voice and I agree that The Real McCoy should be put on DVD. I really miss the show and I believe that if Channel 4 can put Desmond's on DVD, then the BBC should do the same with The Real McCoy. The BBC need to realise there is still a black community in Britain who pay their TV licence, and make more of an effort to cater for the needs of black Britain.
Denise Ward, London

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* It would be so nice to see it on again. I so miss this show.
Malikaah Forbes Hastings Khan, via Facebook

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* This show needs to come back for real. All time classic with the best of black British comedy.
Melissa Louis, via Facebook

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* Was just watching some of the sketches on YouTube the other night… love Mr Frazer!
Gemma Lewis, via Facebook

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* Mi wan here Llewella wid di weadder...reports from Dyam Fool Man and Idiot Bwoy...mi wan hear the dubbed Dr Who wid di cyber man. The Real McCoy and Blouse And Skirt – bring them back please.
Cherylin Gordon, via Facebook