Interview: Danny Bhoy returns for New Zealand tour

Danny Bhoy isn't a comedian who banks on vulgarity and shock factor.

This week's new live comedy

Previews of David Cross, Danny Bhoy and Richard Herring.

Danny Bhoy: 'Big comedians too afraid of losing fans'

An interview with Scottish stand-up Danny Bhoy.

Arguably the most successful stand-up show on British TV has returned for its eighth series on BBC One, and not much has changed.

This opening episode featured Dara O'Briain as the headline act, mostly talking about stupid things people do in their holidays, including his own experience at trying to surf in Australia. Guest Danny Bhoy also talked a lot about Australia, as well as the problems Scotland might have if they get into the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. However, the best act on the night for me was ventriloquist Nina Conti, who did a brilliant improvisation act which involved getting two members of the audience on stage and making them wear fake mouths which she controlled, turning the pair into life-sized dummies.

Live at the Apollo demonstrates some of the great comic talents that are out there, but once again the show still has the problems. Firstly is the length of the show. It used to be 45 minutes, now it's 30 minutes. Admittedly there are extended repeats, but for the last series they didn't appear until months later. Personally I think they should scrap the 30 minute format and just have the straight 45 minutes.

The other, bigger complaint Live at the Apollo gets is the lack of diversity among the comics chosen. The main one is the lack of women. Other than Conti the only other women appearing are Kerry Godliman and Sara Pascoe. Now given that Conti, who is both a woman and the first ventriloquist to appear on the programme, was the funniest person on in the latest episode, I think that's proof that a bigger range of performers could do wonders for it...

Danny Bhoy, Bloomsbury Theatre

Epistolary comedy from the Scottish stand-up.

Review: Danny Bhoy: Dear Epson - Newcastle Stand

There have been quite a few recent shows using letters to frame a comedy narrative. In this respect, Danny Bhoy's Dear Epson, which is currently touring following a run at the Fringe, is easily comparable to Tom Wrigglesworth's Open Letters series on BBC Radio 4. Both comics read aloud their letters addressed to well-known companies or industries to explore and expose insane inconsistencies and inequalities.

Danny Bhoy on being heckled by Scottish football fans

Danny Bhoy has revealed he is no Celtic fan - but had to adopt the Hoops nickname after a dancing dog stole his.

Interview: Danny Bhoy

Some comedians want it all: fame, fortune and five-star reviews in the Evening News. Some even want to behave like rock stars and paint the town red after a show with their groupies (or 'gag hags') in tow. Danny Bhoy is forced to settle for a hot mug of Ovaltine.

Danny Bhoy - Five things you might not know

Scottish-born comedian returns home from Australia for Glasgow show.

Interview: Danny Bhoy

Glasgow funny man Danny Bhoy brings his latest tour show, Messenger (Please Do Not Shoot), to the Newcastle Tyne Theatre on Friday 24th June. Ahead of his performance in the North East, Radio Teesdale's Katey Wallace went for a chat with Bhoy to talk about the new show, the impact TV comedy has had on British stand-up and the trouble surrounding his name!