BCG Daily Friday 4th May 2012

Ricky Grover: Was gonna quit till Bob Monkhouse called

As career paths go, Ricky Grover's has been nothing short of winding.

Nothing's funnier than middle-class sitcoms

Let's take the middle classes out of sitcom, says BBC1 controller Danny Cohen. The prospect of a cultural revolution in sitcom is not reassuring. Without the middle classes, much of our funniest TV ceases to exist.

Video: Keith Lemon's debut film is coming this summer

Leigh Francis is bringing his alter-ego, Celebrity Juice presenter Keith Lemon, to the big screen this August.

Video: Meera Syal on new culture clash film

Meera Syal and Harish Patel reprise their roles from the award winning stage play Rafta Rafta, with the comedy All In Good Time.

The film - inspired by the 1960s British classic, In The Family Way - is directed by Nigel Cole whose earlier credits include Calendar Girls and Made in Dagenham.

The culture clash drama is set in Bolton and focuses on the challenges faced by newlyweds living with the extended family.

The BBC Asian Network's, Shabnam Mahmood, has been talking to Meera Syal, Amara Karan and Reece Ritchie.

Sacha Baron Cohen 'not banned' by BBC

Rumours that the BBC has banned comedian Sacha Baron Cohen from its talk shows have been widely exaggerated, the corporation claims.

Legendary writer Digby Wolfe dies

The legendary writer Digby Wolfe has died after a short battle with cancer. He was born in Britain in 1929 and, before moving to Australia, worked with comedy legends Ronnie Corbett, Hattie Jacques and Charles Hawtrey.

Video: The Proclaimers collaborate with Matt Lucas

It has been 25 years since twin brothers Charlie and Craig Reid first hit the charts with The Proclaimers' first album, This Is The Story. Now the pair have collaborated with comedian Matt Lucas on their latest album, Like Comedy.

Archive correspondence: John Cleese vs The Sun

John Cleese's reaction to an inaccurate newspaper report in The Sun, in the form of a fruitless chain of correspondence between him and the newspaper's editor, Kenneth Donlan.

Keith Lemon for a Corrie cameo?

'Strawberry-blonde' filth factory, Keith Lemon, has revealed that he would love to make a guest appearance on Coronation Street.

How do we love HIGNFY? Let us count the ways...

Have I Got News For You celebrates its 22nd birthday this year and an astounding 43 series on the air.

Goldie Lookin' Chain member becomes Labour councillor

A member of comedy rap group Goldie Lookin' Chain (GLC) has become a councillor in his home city. Rhys Hutchings, a full-time member of the band, stood as Labour candidate in Newport's St Julians ward.

Wallace and Gromit to feature in Diamond Jubilee film

Bristol-based Aardman Animations has created a short film featuring Wallace and Gromit to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee this summer.

Radio 4 Extra comedy club: Machynlleth comedy festival

BBC Radio 4 Extra's Comedy Club is going to the Machynlleth Comedy Festival this weekend, Producer, Luke Doran give a view from behind the scenes.

Russell Howard's Good News soars to 850,000 on BBC3

Russell Howard's Good News programme soared to a series high last night (Thursday), overnight data reveals.

Graham Norton's earnings top £2.5m

Graham Norton earned more than £2.5m in year to end July 2011 from his company So Television, which includes his £2m-a-year BBC presenting deal.

Blake Harrison: No more acting stupid

Blake Harrison's role as a recovering drug and alcohol addict in new play Step 9 (of 12) is a far cry from the one in which he made his name as dim-witted Neil in E4 cult comedy The Inbetweeners.

Dan Mitchell interview

Dan Mitchell, a former undertaker, found himself lured to the comedy circuit when he realised how gratifying it felt getting laughs at the local pub quiz he ran.