Acclaimed English actor, musician and theatre director Simon Callow CBE will host a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) special of Community Channel’s UK360 on Monday 16th July.
 
Callow, most famous for his roles in Four Weddings and a Funeral and Shakespeare in Love, will present a special episode of UK360 that shines a light on the UK’s LGBT community. Covering a wide range of topics, the programme will showcase a tour of the gay scene in York, and a report on attempts to reduce homophobia in Brighton. The episode will also include a debate about the need for LGBT specific arts companies and a feature on London Gay Men’s Chorus, a choir Callow is particularly passionate about.
 
Community Channel’s UK360 is a magazine style show that gives a voice to positive community news and stories from across the UK. It provides a platform for communities to share what’s important to them, showcasing people and projects that change lives and local areas for the better.
 
Simon Callow said: “It’s a very good thing that there’s a television channel devoted to the stories of people in their ordinary lives. The stories of LGBT people are sometimes quite heroic and sometimes very funny and sometimes rather moving.” He added: “I’ve always loved the London Gay Men’s Chorus...they’re just joyful, they make a joyful sound I love the spirit of these guys. They come together, they put an awful lot of hours into rehearsing and they do their absolute best to make the best kind of music they can. There’s something about their spirit which is quite unique.”
 
Alexander Kann, general manager of Community Channel said: “I am delighted that Simon Callow is hosting this special episode of UK360. This episode has some fantastic features which will be brought together by Simon to create a vibrant and interesting programme that I’m sure our viewers will love. UK360 is always on the lookout for a good local story; if you think you have one and would like it showcased on national television please tell us about it.”

Community Channel will be showing a season of programmes throughout July in support of the LGBT community including documentary series Gay-Z following the lives of six very different lesbian, gay and bisexual young people and travel series Two Men in a Boat. Find out more about the season on the Community Channel website