BBC Faces of Comedy exhibition set to fill the Forum in Norwich

Miranda with crew members on the set of 'Miranda' series three. It's one of the photos part of a 'BBC Faces of Comedy' exhibition opens this Saturday at The Forum. Picture: Gary Moyes (Image: WARNING: Use of this copyright image is subject to the terms of use of BBC Pictures' Digital Picture Service (BBC Pictures) a...)

And now the popular stars of BBC comedy have been immortalised in a photographic exhibition which is opening at the Forum in Norwich on Saturday, July 1.

Funny men and women including Tony Hancock, Victoria Wood, David Jason, Rowan Atkinson, Ricky Gervais and Miranda Hart are featured in more than 80 photos ranging from the 1930s to the present day.

Richard Fair, events manager at the Forum, said he expected the photos would delight and amuse.

Mr Fair said: 'I challenge visitors to the exhibition to look at the photographs without a huge smile on their face.

A 1954 photo from the set of The Goon Show featuring Harry Secombe, Peter Sellers and Spike Milligan. It's one of the photos part of a 'BBC Faces of Comedy' exhibition opens this Saturday at The Forum. Picture: BBC (Image: Archant)

'The memories, the faces, the laughs – it's a fantastic exhibition that appeals to all ages and we're delighted to host it throughout the summer.

'I expect to hear plenty of quotes from lots of classic comedy shows uttered by our visitors. Don't panic!'

The images give a glimpse into the comedians' life behind the scenes - on set among the paraphernalia of cameras and microphones, in script discussion, or just enjoying a well-earned cuppa.

The images are from the BBC's photo library, which holds more than four million photos taken both on set and on location, many of which have never been seen by the public before.

A photo of Tony Hancock from 1954. It's one of the photos part of a 'BBC Faces of Comedy' exhibition opens this Saturday at The Forum. Picture: BBC (Image: Archant)

Robert Seatter, head of BBC history, said: 'The BBC is delighted with this photographic display, charting the history of this important entertainment genre.

'We hope it will inspire visitors to think about the art of broadcast comedy in fresh and different ways.'

The exhibition, titled 'BBC Faces of Comedy' is touring around the country, organised by Compton Verney.

It will run in Norwich until August 31, open daily from 10am to 4pm.

A photo from the set of Steptoe and Son, featuring Harry H. Corbett as Harold Steptoe and Wilfrid Brambell as Albert Steptoe. It's one of the photos part of a 'BBC Faces of Comedy' exhibition opens this Saturday at The Forum. Picture: BBC (Image: Archant)