A production slump across the TV industry has left comedians struggling to get ideas off the ground, but Radio 4’s Julia McKenzie believes audio is the answer

Radio can fill the gap left by a slump in TV production to champion new British talent, the head of BBC Radio 4 comedy has said.

Julia McKenzie, the station’s commissioning editor for comedy, said it is still taking risks amid a “challenging” commissioning landscape and that she is keen to give opportunities to people “desperately trying to start their career”.