Dave Spikey: Phoenix Nights WON'T be returning

Phoenix Nights co-writer Dave Spikey says rumours of the sitcom's return are wide of the mark.

Dave Spikey interview

Dave Spikey chats about live comedy, his love of local news headlines, animal welfare work, working on Phoenix Nights, and whether the hit sitcom is indeed returning for Comic Relief next year.

Video: Dave Spikey interview

Comedian and Phoenix Nights co-creator Dave Spikey joins Good Morning Britainto talk about his upcoming tour, Punchlines.

Dave Spikey to judge Bolton comedy competition

Dave Spikey is backing a search to find the town's next big comic talent.

Dave Spikey to judge in search for Bolton comedy star

Dave Spikey is backing a search to find the town's next big comic talent. The award-winning comedian will be on the judging panel for the final of Comedy Club, which was launched on April Fool's Day by Crompton Place shopping centre and the Octagon theatre.

Channel 4 has acreated a band new panel game, hosted by former Doctor Who star David Tennant.

The idea of Comedy World Cup is an interesting one, as the theme of the show is comedy itself. It's a team game, with different teams each episode, consisting of one current comedy star as captain, with a younger comic and a veteran. This week, Captain Jo Brand with Dave Spikey and Shappi Khorsandi, played against Jason Manford, who lead alongside Paul Chowdhry and Nicholas Parsons.

The episode lasted an hour, which some might seem as being excessive for a panel game - but I disagree. For starters, it still isn't the longest panel show in terms of episode length, as that title goes to The Big Fat Quiz of the Year (not counting David Walliams and his 24-hour long panel show marathon for Comic Relief). You also have the ad breaks too, so the show is broken down a bit. Put it this way; an extended repeat of HIGNFY or QI is between 40-45 minutes long. Comedy World Cup is 45 minutes long, plus 15 minutes of advertising during which you can make a cup of tea. So it's nothing new. Some might say it's an improvement to have a break in the middle.

The show consisted of seven rounds, many of them reminding me of other panel shows and game shows. For example there a "What happens next?" round (see A Question of Sport), and one where children act out stand-up routines (see The Big Fat Quiz where they get kids to act out news stories).

Now, I admit that this show wasnt 'the funniest panel show I've seen. But to me, this isn't the point. For someone like me who is really into their comedy, it's like a pub quiz themed especially for me - and if you're a comedy buff then this is the show for you. But it's best watched with other like-minded people to see who really is more knowledgeable on these matters...

Comedians line up for Teenage Cancer Trust Night

Hosted by Jason Manford - a long-term Teenage Cancer Trust supporter - the evening of comedy also stars Tim Minchin, Jimmy Carr, Jon Richardson, Stewart Francis and Dave Spikey.

Dave Spikey: 'How did The Royal Bodyguard get on TV?'

An interview with Dave Spikey.

Interview: Dave Spikey

Dave Spikey is perhaps best known for his work on Phoenix Nights alongside the likes of Peter Kay, Neil Fitzmaurice and Justin Moorhouse, but he's revisiting straight up stand-up with his latest tour, Words Don't Come Easy. Radio Teesdale's Peter Dixon caught up with Spikey to talk about his comedy philosophy - and whether the success of Phoenix Nights weighs him down a little...