Leigh Francis is reviving his Mel B parody for a new show alongside her.
The 46-year-old star – whose alter-ego is Keith Lemon – shot to fame by impersonating a number of celebrities, including the Spice Girls singer, on sketch show ‘Bo’ Selecta!’, and he is set to don the prosthetic chin, baggy leopard-print dress and big glasses again on ‘Mel B & Mel B: What A Fookin’ Year’, a review of the year for E4.
Mel said: "I’m so excited to do this show because 2019 has been one hell of a year and I get to share all of it with me – or rather Leigh as me."
The 90-minute programme, which is to air in December, will see the 44-year-old star and Leigh, as Mel, give their takes on top TV moments from 2019.
Mel added to The Sun newspaper’s Bizarre column: "It’s going to be funny, fabulous, fantastic and completely crazy.
"Even I don’t know what to expect, except it’s going to be hilarious. Fasten your seatbelts for a review of the year like no other."
The show will also feature celebrity guests and other impersonations from ‘Bo’ Selecta!’, on which Leigh also played Craig David.
The programme ran for five series from 2002 to 2009, and some of the scenes included Leigh trying to seduce Patsy Kensit while in character as Mel, and as Craig he would regularly come out with catchphrases such as "proper bo I tell thee" and "can I get a reeewind".
In 2007, Craig said the impersonation was annoying him and "hurt beyond belief".
He said: "Inside it was absolutely p***ing me off and hurtful beyond belief. There were times when I thought I just want to knock this guy out."
But earlier this year, the singer admitted he had "forgiven" the comedian for the show, and now sees the programme as a "blessing in disguise".
He said: "I have 100 per cent forgiven Leigh Francis for ‘Bo’ Selecta!’
"If you hold on to things and ask the question, ‘Why did it happen?’ it’s like you’re drinking your own poison.
"You have to forgive people, and the situation, and also look at what came from it.
"In a roundabout way, that period of time made me ask a lot of questions about what direction I was going in. Music isn’t a hobby for me.
"It wasn’t like I was going, ‘I’ve had a good innings, let me tap out now.’ It made space for me to come back. It was a blessing in disguise in a weird way."
Leigh Francis reviving Mel B parody for new show
