Morgan Freeman will present a new BBC Radio 2 documentary on Easter Monday

The 'Voice of God' will be heard once again

Credit: Kevin Winter/ Getty (Getty Images / Kevin Winter / Staff)

Morgan Freeman will present a BBC Radio 2 documentary on Easter Monday.

The Hollywood icon will chronicle the life of one of his favourite musicians, Pearl Bailey.

In 1967, Freeman starred with Bailey in his first Broadway performance - an all-black version of Hello Dolly.

“It was a monumental moment for me, watching Pearl Bailey sass the audience as well as absorbing her professionalism,” says Freeman.

Freeman believes the production is one of the top five shows of his career.

In the documentary he shows his absolute admiration for Bailey saying, "She was top to bottom genuine, and if you’re listening up there Pearl - Baby I LOVE YOU!"

Born to a preacher in Virginia, Bailey rose to fame as an actress and Broadway singer before starring in films like Carmen Jones and Porgy and Bess.

Bailey fought for civil rights while making Porgy and Bess calling out filmmakers for their "undignified and unnatural" portrayal of African American dialect.

She said, "There’s a lot of people out there waiting for a dialect, so let’s talk the way we really talk, without the ‘dems, doeses and deses.' We don’t talk like that. Maybe we did 50 years ago, but not now."

Freeman will show how Bailey dealt with racism and her friendships with Presidents Johnson, Nixon and Ford, leading up to when she died in 1990.

Alongside Freeman, the documentary will feature contributions from critics and singer Imelda May.

The Raw Pearl Bailey will air on BBC Radio 2 Monday April 2 at 10pm.