will.i.am, Ashley Banjo to present films for ITV's Black History Month

By Neil Wilkes, Editor-in-chief | 9h

ITV announces one-off films fronted by will.i.am, Ashley Banjo and Charlene White for Black History Month.

ITV has announced a series of commissions to mark Black History Month this October.

The Voice judge and music producer will.i.am, who has been coming to the UK for over 20 years and considers it his second home, will explores what it means to be black and British in will.i.am: The Blackprint.

The documentary will see him meet members of the black community from around Britain, including civil rights activists, tech trailblazers and inspiring schoolkids, to learn about how black culture has developed in the country over centuries.

Ashley Banjo, lead dancer of Diversity, will look at how race and racism have played a part in his life, as well as that of his family and friends, in Ashley Banjo: Britain in Black and White.

The Britain's Got Talent star found himself at the centre of controversy last year when he performed a Black Lives Matter-inspired routine on the talent show that led to tens of thousands of complaints to TV regulator Ofcom.

Elsewhere, newsreader Charlene White has been lined up to present Charlene White: Empire's Child, a piece that will explore the thorny issue of Britain's colonial past.

Satmohan Panesar, ITV's commissioning editor for Black History Month, said: "Building on last year's celebrations, Black History Month returns to ITV this October.

"Featuring a range of engaging documentaries from some of our highest profile talent; through their personal stories, the films will explore what it means to be black in Britain today."

The broadcaster has also confirmed that comedy panel show Sorry, I Didn't Know will return for a second series.