This is the show that started out as a late-night sidebar to the 2012 Paralympics and proved so popular it took on a life of its own.

This is also the show that says it's OK laugh at disability provided, that is, those jokes are made within the parameters of a fiendishly sensitive, unwritten set of rules with question one being: "Are you Frankie Boyle?" And question two being: "Is your name Jim Davidson?"

As a rule of thumb, if you can count up to 20 using your fingers and toes, don't even think about trying to join in yourself.

With regular panellist Alex Brooker out in Austria presenting The Jump, comedian Micky Flanagan joins host Adam Hills and Josh Widdicombe for the start of the new series.

Last year, Adam ­memorably remarked: "Getting angry at Jim Davidson because he doesn't know how to talk about disability is like getting angry at a dog for not knowing how to use the internet." There's a good chance the show might work up a nice head of steam about Davidson winning Celebrity Big Brother.

"Some people loved it, others weren't so keen but that's the nature of true art," comedian Micky Flanagan recently said of BBC One's light entertainment disaster I Love My Country - personally, the only piece of art we'd compared this tripe to is Damian Hirst's big load of rubbish.

Christmas DVDs round-up - stand-up comedy specials

Stocking fillers from Micky Flanagan, Tom Stade, Reginald D Hunter, Jack Dee & Bill Bailey reviewed.

'Tis the season to buy jolly DVDs

It was Super Monday this week - the comedy industry's equivalent to Super Thursday, when publishers flood the bookshops with celebrity memoirs and other sure-sellers for the festive market. So on Monday DVDs by Miranda Hart, Reginald D. Hunter, Micky Flanagan, Jack Dee, Eddie Izzard, Jimmy Carr, Bill Bailey, Seann Walsh, Keith Lemon and others hit the shelves.

Micky Flanagan: curtains caught fire at my first gig

Micky Flanagan, 51, was a club stand-up before finding success with his arena tour. He wants to make a Mike Leigh-style film about his native London.

Micky Flanagan postpones gigs after death of mum

Micky Flanagan has postponed four shows following the death of his mother. The dates include Wednesday's gig at The Brighton Centre as well as three shows at the O2 Arena later this week.

Micky Flanagan - review

If you've got a taste for straight-up 1970s nostalgia comedy, you'll take a lot away from comedy stalwart Micky Flanagan's latest set.

Micky Flanagan in numbers

Our favourite stats and facts about the diamond geezer comedian.