The Real McCoy

The Real McCoy was a BBC Television sketch comedy show that ran from 1991 to 1996 featuring an array of black and Asian comedy stars and featured many famous guest appearances, including Leo Muhammad, Ian Wright, Linford Christie and Frank Bruno. Development The producer of the first two series, Charlie Hanson, was the co-founder of the Black Theatre Co-operative (now NitroBeat) and had produced No Problem! and Desmond's before creating The Real McCoy. He was working with a double act named Curtis and Ishmael (Curtis Walker and Ishmael Thomas) at the 291 Club at the Hackney Empire and suggested making a television version. However, the BBC opted for a totally new sketch series, launching The Real McCoy. Llewella Gideon and Collette Johnson, who were also the double act Short, Sharp and Shocking, made up the main initial quartet of writer-performers. Soul II Soul frontman Jazzie B co-wrote the title theme. Casting Walker, Thomas, Gideon and Johnson were given top billing in the opening credits of the first series. Walker and Thomas were billed under their double act name "Curtis and Ishmael" in the closing credits. In addition to the main quartet, Robbie Gee and Leo Chester also appeared in every episode of series 1. Further recurring semi-regulars included Meera Syal, Kulvinder Ghir and Perry Benson. Kathy Burke and broadcaster Alan Towers also appeared in the series. For series 2, a new animated title sequence was used with a new theme by Overlord X. The main six performers again appeared in every episode (although Gideon was unable to attend the recording of the final episode). Syal and Benson also returned as semi-regulars, alongside newcomer Maureen Hibbert. Ghir did not appear in this series.