Greg Davies: Looking For Kes – BBC4

Greg and David Bradley Greg Davies: Looking For Kes

(Image credit: Tom Hayward)

Comedian and Taskmaster host Greg Davies pays a personal tribute to one of his favourite books in Greg Davies: Looking For Kes on BBC4

Comedian Greg Davies is a lifelong fan of Barry Hines’ novel A Kestrel for a Knave, and Kes, the much-loved film adaptation released 50 years ago this month; BBC4’s Greg Davies: Looking For Kes is a celebration of both.

Greg looks at the enduring tale of Billy Casper, a troubled working-class boy who, inspired by his English teacher, finds escape in training a kestrel.

Greg visits schoolchildren in Barnsley, where the story is set, to see what they make of it, meets the author’s brother, who trained kestrels as a child, director Ken Loach, and the film’s star, David Bradley (pictured top with Greg).

Greg and Ken Loach Greg Davies: Looking For Kes — Greg Davies meets director Ken Loach in Greg Davies: Looking For Kes on BBC4

Greg also investigates how the story has inspired other working-class authors.

Following this is Kes: Reimagined, a new dance and puppetry version of the now classic story.

For full listings, see our TV Guide.

TV Times rating: ****