Nina Conti's new documentary, Clowning Around, is to be broadcast on BBC4 on March 15. This follows her directorial debut, Her Master's Voice, which won a Grierson Award and a BAFTA nomination. In this new film Conti tells the story of her two year stint as a hospital clown.

Conti and her much-loved puppet Monkey are a huge hit in comedy clubs around the world and stars of Live at the Apollo. But now she wants to put her skills to a more meaningful end on a much more difficult stage – entertaining children in hospitals. Clowning Around follows Nina as she trains as a Giggle Doctor with Theodora Children’s Charity, beginning with her trying to find her clown persona. Devastated by the discovery that Monkey can only perform in hospitals if he can be boil-washed, Nina tries to go it alone with a red nose, a few balloon animals and some slightly disappointing magic tricks.  Not to mention her professional snobbery rearing up as she discovers herself becoming a baby-voiced children's entertainer. Further problems emerge when she encounters sufferers from clown phobia...

Clowning Around, BBC4, 9pm, March 15.