Lenny Henry knighted for services to comedy & charity

Comedian and actor Lenny Henry is to be knighted for services to charity and comedy.

Radio Times review

The sixth year of Channel 4's admirable fundraising drive for Great Ormond Street Hospital. If you're an avid and knowledgeable fan of any of these acts, this might not be the best environment in which to see them, since there are an awful lot to get through. But to take the temperature of live comedy right now and see who's at the top of their game or on the up, it's ideal.

The really big names are led by Alan Carr, Michael McIntyre and Jack Dee, with Aisling Bea, Sara Pascoe and Katherine Ryan among the others to look out for. Also on the bill is sharp, politically astute South African stand-up Trevor Noah, getting in a UK gig while he can before he takes over the hallowed Daily Show in the US.

Alistair McGowan admits misgivings over Savile play

Alistair McGowan has admitted he had misgivings before agreeing to play Jimmy Savile in a new West End play.

Yer Granny review

Gregor Fisher is the picture of conspicuous consumption in Douglas Maxwell's hilarious reworking of Roberto Cossa's play.

Jesterval 2015 review: Luisa Omielan

Am I Right Ladies was the perfect show for a Saturday night and thoroughly deserving of the standing ovation it gained from a very enthusiastic crowd.

Are there too many comedy shows in Edinburgh?

Has Edinburgh got too big? It's the cry that goes up every year, but maybe with good reason this year. 2015 will see 50,459 performances of 3,314 shows from 49 countries in 313 venues across Edinburgh. This is a 3.8% increase on last year's programme. Fancy seeing all those shows? You'll need deep pockets and a time machine to fit them all in.

Cowgatehead chaos: the unseen emails

The basic highly-simplified situation is that both organisations claim to have had rights to the Cowgatehead venue. The PBH Free Fringe now have a written contract; the Freestival claim to have had an earlier oral contract. Under Scots law, oral contracts are legally binding.

Dave Pitt on the UK Comedy Guild

Dave Pitt on why the UK Comedy Guild can change the comedy landscape forever.

Darlington Comedy Festival 2015: the line-up revealed

Now in its fourth year, the programme continues to go from strength to strength, with this year's bill featuring two shows from TV star Chris Ramsey, Edinburgh Comedy Award winners Funz and Gamez, Gein's Family Giftshop and many more.

Tim Shishodia wins Old Comedian of the Year

Tim Shishodia has been crowned the winner of the first Old Comedian of the Year Final at the Leicester Square Theatre tonight.

Jason Manford, John Bishop, Ross Noble do pub karaoke

Jason Manford was joined by The Producers cast mate Ross Noble, pal Eithne Browne and fellow comedian John Bishop for the weekly Sing Along at Ma Egertons in Liverpool.

Why I want to Car Share with Peter Kay

If my commute included congestion charges or my workplace offered significant incentives for riding with colleagues, I would definitely want Peter Kay as my car share comrade.