The team from DoubleBand Films will bring to our screens the inside story of the rise and fall of pop's first manufactured boy band.

Those of a certain age will have fond memories of The Monkees' classic TV show with its wacky humour, crazy plots and unforgettable music.

And the younger generation may recognise at least one track - Hey, Hey We're The Monkees - the band's theme song used in the current Marks & Spencer ad for kiddies' clothes.

Tonight's hour-long documentary takes us on a nostalgic journey to 1965 when the band was formed.

TV producers brought together four unknowns - Davey Jones, Mike Nesmith, Peter Tork and Mickey Dolenz - to create a show around their fictional pop group. It only survived two series and The Monkees split after just two years, before reforming for a couple of tours in the early Nineties.

Their legend lives on, though, as the series has been re-shown umpteen times on TV.

DoubleBand visited Davey, Peter and Mickey in the US to find out exactly what went on behind the scenes and what they're up to now.

Mike Nesmith, now a successful media entrepreneur, has distanced himself from the band and declined to take part in the programme. Making The Monkees producer Dermot Lavery pitched the idea for his documentary to Channel 4 to mark the 40th anniversary of the band.

The three music men were only too pleased to contribute to the show.

"It was delightful to work with them - they were hugely generous with their time and very engaging," said Dermot.

"They're clearly enjoying the afterglow of The Monkees. The guys were delighted that their story was relevant enough to be retold in the UK, where they have had a huge following.

"And their music is back in our consciences again with the revival of Take That and the whole constructed pop business with the likes of Pop Idol.

"The Monkees had a classic pop aspect which will always survive and resurface every five or 10 years.

"Their music just lifts the spirits and that's why M&S decided to use them in their advertising campaign."

- Making The Monkees took five months to put together and will be shown on Channel 4 at 10.00 tonight straight after Big Brother.