BCG Daily Friday 2nd January 2015

Brendan O'Carroll to make Xmas specials until 2020

Brendan O'Carroll has revealed he's signed up to make Christmas specials of Mrs Brown's Boys until 2020.

Vicki Michelle on cyst: I lied about cancer scare

Just three weeks before going into the jungle, the former 'Allo 'Allo! star had been told she had a cyst "the size of a small rugby ball" on her ovary.

Esio Trot review

This adaptation of Roald Dahl's book about a love affair, starring Judi Dench and Dustin Hoffman and 100 tortoises, is a thing of wonder.

Luisa Omielan interview

The standup on classism and sexism in comedy, her part in the Miranda Christmas special and her new show, Am I Right Ladies?!

Comedy highlights of 2015

Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights returns and Alan Carr tours the UK

Radio Times review

A slumbery round of the gently filthy information exchange, livened by a shake-up in the scoring system. We're playing Lucky Losers, this being Series L, which means klaxons are good, clever right answers are to be avoided and Alan Davies has to find a new way to come last.

With L also standing for lavatory this series, the best banter focuses on bottom-wiping: there's a terrifying lesson on which leaves to avoid when caught short in a Queensland forest, while Jeremy Clarkson and Sandi Toksvig bond over the impermeability of boarding-school loo roll. If that all sounds a bit vulgar, wait until you hear what Lillie Langtry once said to Edward VII.

Radio Times review

Hola! to the Solana resort and its gallery of grotesques for seven more instalments of smut in the sun. Benidorm is well past its best, no doubt about that, but if you're as fond of the regulars as I am, this annual reunion is as cheering as a blow-out with a bunch of old buddies.

Transvestite Lesley and randy Mateo lead a workers' revolt when Joyce slashes their pay. But sniff closely and there's a whiff of transition in the air. Only the male Dykes check in this year; a fax from the US signposts the imminent exit of core family, the Garveys; and swinger Jacqueline has a new man in her life. (Her hubby Donald has been written out; sadly, the lovely actor Kenny Ireland wasn't well enough to film and he died in July 2014.)

On a happier note, later in the run Johnny Vegas will return as slobby Geoff, after a five-year break, along with Elsie Kelly as his daffy mum, Noreen.

Radio Times review

Time for another series of competitive griping about things people hate. This series always flirts with a sort of generalised curmudgeonliness while, naturally, trying to keep it light. But it does help when the bellyaches are slightly mad. Tim Vine loses the audience with a rambling moan about a certain kind of karaoke DJ, whereas Len Goodman simply slags off "all foreign food".

It turns out Len has never had a curry - or eaten spaghetti! His motto is, "Never eat anything you can't spell." And if you think that's sweeping, his other bêtes noires are the metric system and, quite simply, choice. "Have you ever thought," wonders host Frank Skinner, "of moving to North Korea?"

Amanda Barrie: Benidorm is like the modern Carry On

Amanda Barrie has said ITV comedy Benidorm is the modern-day equivalent to the Carry On films.

TV preview: Count Arthur Strong, BBC1

If you haven't joined the Count's fan club yet, this episode should win you over.

Mrs Brown's Boys dethrones Queen in Xmas Day ratings

The Queen has been toppled from the number one spot of the Christmas Day ratings by BBC One sitcom Mrs Brown's Boys in the consolidated viewing figures published on Friday.

James Corden interview

Actor may not be universally loved, but at 36, and armed with an OBE, he faces daunting role, as Late Late Show host on US TV.

James Corden panned on Twitter for 'awful' narration

James Corden has been criticised for his narration of Roald Dahl's Esio Trot, with hundreds of viewers branding him "awful" on social media.

Esio Trot makes for a twee, syrupy adaptation

In the hands of Richard Curtis, this was gentler viewing than Balamory.

Ricky Gervais may attend Golden Globes dressed as Derek

Derek hugs on the red carpet? Yes, that could happen.

Only the lonely knew just how funny 'Miranda' was

Miranda wasn't dark, or edgy, or all the things comedy is supposed to be - but it was old fashioned, and it tugged at the heartstrings.

Miranda's happy-ever-after nothing to do with romance

We need to be reminded that it doesn't matter if we don't fit in with the norm, look right or say the right thing. It's a message that doesn't get broadcast enough.

Sara Pascoe fronts vegan comedy gig

Also on the bill are Michael Legge, Lee Kern, Chris Stokes and Carl Donnelly and there will be a vegan buffet.

Room 101 viewers brand Len Goodman a 'UKIP candidate'

Len's choices, which included foreign food and the metric system, didn't go down too well with viewers.

December: comedian of the month #11 - Nish Kumar

Nish Kumar is a comedian who I have known of for a while but hadn't seen too much of his stuff until recently.

Review: The Tommy Cooper Show

The true impact of The Tommy Cooper Show is best gauged by the ovation of an audience who have spent the duration of the show utterly entranced by this portrayal and laughing along as if the great man was actually present in the room with us.