The BBC presenter Anita Rani is planning to go undercover to investigate illegal skin-lightening creams available across the UK.

A special documentary was commissioned to take The One Show presenter across the country to ask why many British Asians and Afro-Caribbeans desire lighter skin, and sometimes embrace illegal products to get the desired effect.

She will look at the products and the companies behind what’s reported to be a multimillion pound market, as well as meeting women – and men – who have embarked on a quest for lighter skin.

Anita said: “I have never understood why fair equals beautiful because I love being brown. Through this film, I will find out where this pressure to change your skin colour is coming from.”

Starting with her own mother’s preference for lighter skin, she looks at the pressures within her own Asian community to explore the reasons that drive a growing number of people to lighten their skin.

The explosive 40 minute programme, titled ‘Make Me White’, will be produced by BBC Birmingham and shown on BBC1 later this year.