Richard Osman: 'I wish I were cooler but I'm not'

We've come to expect the unexpected from Richard Osman, the affable frontman on quiz shows Pointless and House of Games. Both are arguably two of the most inventive in their genre of the last decade, throwing, as they do, convention forcefully to the wind. True to form, Osman's latest project sees him remoulding again, but this time it's himself - from TV personality to crime novelist. Written in secret over 18 months, The Thursday Murder Club bears Osman's offbeat hallmark in that it's unusually set in a retirement village.

Daniel Kitson releases performances to help venues

Daniel Kitson has made his acclaimed 2007 show It's The Fireworks Talking available to help out one of the comedy chains that has been devastatingly hit by the Covid19 crisis. Half of the money made from the show, which is now available to listen to on Bandcamp, will be going to The Stand, which has venues in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle.

The Fast Show characters on the Covid era

How are Swiss Toni, Ron Manager, Dave Angel, Ken and Kenneth, Brilliant, and a very drunk Rowley Birkin QC handling life in 2020? As The Fast Show returns for a special, its characters talk masks, pronouns and Meghan Markle.

Richard Wilson didn't want to play older man in OFITG

It's been 20 years since Britain's most popular grump, Victor Meldrew, was killed off in the final episode of the hit BBC sitcom. Two decades on, the stars reflect on the comedy classic One Foot In The Grave.

The best of British satire: 7 vintage shows

Spitting Image is returning. Some are expecting the new series to represent the welcome, and long overdue, rehabilitation of British satire. Others fear a toothless, joyless effort. Either way, it will face some tough comparisons - most notably with itself. The satire boom of the 60s precipitated a long line of insightful, scabrous, satirical shows. So here, in no particular order, are seven of the best.

Eire launches stamps for Father Ted's 25th anniversary

Iconic one-liners are featured on them, including the infamous "That money was just resting in my account", and "That's mad, Ted."

Osman: Spielberg making film of his debut novel

Richard Osman has revealed that legendary director Steven Spielberg has bought the film rights to his debut novel, The Thursday Murder Club, about four English pensioner sleuths.

Review: Get Duked!

Review of the new Amazon comedy film.

Interview: Deightful Sausage

For those who like the surreal joy of Vic and Bob, the darkness of The League Of Gentlemen and the accomplished pace of old-school double acts, it's time to check out the Delightful Sausage. The irresistible pairing (aka Amy Gledhill and Chris Cantrill) saw their third outing, Ginster's Paradise, shortlisted for Best Show at Dave's Edinburgh Comedy Awards last year.

Ricky Gervais & Jane Fallon 'ignore' their wealth

Ricky Gervais and Jane Fallon "ignore their wealth" after once living above a brothel in London's Kings Cross.

Best selling author Jane was asked what it's like to be "super rich" when she chatted to the Loose Women panel today about her new book, Queen Bee.