BCG Daily - 10/01/2015 - British Comedy Guide

How I get ready: Lesley Joseph

"There are certain events when I know people are expecting part-Lesley, part-Dorien, so I will Dorien-esque myself up. It will normally involve a bit of leopardskin"

Abigail Radnor, The Guardian, 10th January 2015

Jasper Carrott: how Robin Williams helped his US shows

Jasper explained that he sees himself as a storyteller, more like his American comedy heroes, rather than a teller of jokes. This style led him to tour the USA in 1984 and a recommendation from the late Robin Williams meant it was a sell-out.

Chris Ballinger, East Grinstead Courier, 10th January 2015

People who inspired Pride tell their story

Three of those who were part of the story in real life say they're delighted it's been discovered by a new generation.

Vincent Dowd, BBC News, 10th January 2015

Harry Hill: hosting Stars In Their Eyes tickled me

Harry Hill talks about hosting the new version of Stars in Their Eyes and his own appearance on a celebrity version as Morrissey.

Neil Batey, The Mirror, 10th January 2015

Seven questions with... Lou Sanders

Lou Sanders is a wonderfully upbeat comedian with a fantastic energy that seems to win over any audience.

Moody Comedy, 10th January 2015

Anna Richardson on falling for girlfriend Sue Perkins

The Channel 4 presenter has opened up about the first time she met her famous partner 18 months ago.

Tufayel Ahmed, The Mirror, 10th January 2015

Teechers: Fast paced fun of school comedy

John Godber's timeless comedy Teechers will be setting up its desks as part of a 43-date tour.

Bury Free Press, 10th January 2015

Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival preview show review

Bringing the evening to a close was the brilliant Sara Pascoe. She can't bear it when people pronounce her name wrong. "It sounds like it's gone off. Like it's curdled," she quipped.

Leicester Mercury, 10th January 2015

Johnny Vegas: 'Channel 4 has stopped taking risks'

Johnny Vegas has described Channel 4 as "self-conscious", adding that he now finds it "incredibly frustrating" taking ideas to TV channels.

Frances Taylor, Digital Spy, 10th January 2015

Jasper Carrott interview

Jasper Carrott is teaming up with impressionist Alistair McGowan, after rediscovering his love for making audiences laugh.

Crawley News, 10th January 2015

Peter Cook: the most inspiring British comic ever

Peter Cook died 20 years ago today.

Darren Richman, The Telegraph, 10th January 2015

Kate Copstick: what she likes & giving bad reviews

"Initially, I wanted to be an actress," Copstick told me this week, "because then I would never need to be myself. But I have never wanted to be a stand-up comic."

John Fleming, John Fleming's Blog, 10th January 2015

What if Charlie Bebdo had been published in Britain?

It would have been crushed. Here's how.

Spiked, 10th January 2015

Review: Trygve Wakenshaw - Kraken

There is a recurring theme to this delightful, disgusting, light-hearted solo show from mime artist, Tryvge Wakenshaw.

Lydia Thomson, Exeunt Magazine, 10th January 2015

Review: Quippodrome, Mono, Manchester

MC Jack Evans and Quippopotamus cohorts Jayne Edwards, Jon Whiteley and Edy Hurst laid down a fabulous belated Christmas show at Chorlton's Mono on Thursday, complete with posh Christmas biscuits, haphazard tinsel and an unwieldy drunk (who left during the break, happily).

Molly Stewart, Giggle Beats, 10th January 2015

Dara O'Briain quits Apprentice spin-off

Dara O'Briain has quit The Apprentice: You're Fired! to focus on comedy.

Caroline Westbrook, Metro, 10th January 2015

Jason Manford becomes a dad for the fifth time

The former One Show host, 33, welcomed his fifth child, the first with girlfriend Lucy Dyke, 35, into the world on Thursday after a 55-hour labour. The child was a girl.

Vikki White, The Mirror, 10th January 2015

Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival Preview Show review

The preview show for the Leicester Comedy Festival - Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival as host Alan Davies repeatedly corrected himself - is an interesting litmus test, introducing mainly non-famous comedians to a broadly conservative crowd, albeit one acclimatised to different comedy rhythms, thanks to this annual showcase.

Steve Bennett, Chortle, 10th January 2015