If you thought your family holidays are hard work, you need to hear about the Blaker family’s vacation! In episode four of Ashley Blaker’s new series about raising children with special educational needs, he ponders the topic of leisure, including family days out, trips to the park, and one very challenging flight to Greece.
Ashley Blaker: 6.5 Children is a mix of stand-up and observational recording featuring the voices of Ashley's real family. The series brings a whole new perspective to the subject of parenting. Three of Ashley’s children have a diagnosis – two boys with autism and ADHD, and an adopted girl with Down Syndrome – and Ashley Blaker: 6.5 Children sensitively finds the funny in raising children with disabilities.
Ashley Blaker is a comedian who has performed two Off-Broadway shows, tours on five continents, and is author of ‘Normal Schmormal: My occasionally helpful guide to parenting kids with special needs’.
He is joined by Shelley Blond (Peep Show, Cold Feet and the voice of Lara Croft in Tomb Raider), Kieran Hodgson (Three-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee and now known to all for his online parody of The Crown), and Rosie Holt (another star of lockdown who has put out many viral videos, most often as her character, The Woman).
Also appearing as themselves are Ashley’s own children - Adam (19), Ollie (18), Dylan (15), Zoe (14), Edward (13) and Bailey (9).
Written and performed by Ashley Blaker
Also starring Shelley Blond, Kieran Hodgson, Rosie Holt, as well as Adam, Ollie, Dylan, Zoe, Edward and Bailey Blaker.
Produced by Steve Doherty
A Giddy Goat production for BBC Radio 4 Show less