Russell Tovey on Him & Her, Lovejoy & sticky-out ears

"I never cringe at the script. My gross-out threshold must be quite high..."

Russell Tovey, Sarah Soleman Q&A

They're back - loveable slobs Steve (Russell Tovey) and Becky (Sarah Solemani) return to our screens this week in the third series of Stefan Golaszewski's acutely observed sitcom Him & Her.

Russell Tovey: 'Steve's going to propose!'

Russell Tovey and Sarah Solemani are back with the third series of Him & Her on BBC3 and romance is definitely in the air as Steve is searching for the perfect moment to propose to his live-in lover Becky...

Russell Tovey & Sarah Solemani interview

As a new series of the hit sitcom Him & Her comes to BBC3, TV Choice talks to its stars Russell Tovey and Sarah Solemani about what's in store for their characters Steve and Becky.

As a bunch of writers who spend most of our time drooling in front of the telly, it should come as no surprise that we identify greatly with Russell Tovey and Sarah Solemani's slovenly lovers. For once, though, the crude couple may have something to get excited about, as Steve prepares to ask Becky for her hand in marriage. Now all he needs is the perfect moment to pop the question... shame Becky's currently nursing the world's worst hangover.

Russell Tovey: third series of Him & Her is phenomenal

The star of Being Human and History Boys will return to BBC3 next month - and he's excited about the upcoming episodes...

Amid all the hullabaloo of the Diamond Jubilee this gentle drama takes a more oblique angle on the Queen. Imagining the conversation that took place when an intruder broke into the Queen's bedroom at Buckingham Palace in 1982, the smart script draws out the simple humanity of the woman beneath the crown as she debates love, life and freedom with her unexpected guest.

Emma Thompson is magnificently regal, and the interplay between her and Eddie Marsan's nervy intruder is spellbinding. But sometimes the spell is broken by scenes of Russell Tovey's jocular footman walking the dogs - unnecessary additions to a pitch-perfect two-hander.

Fed up with the same old comedy faces on TV? Well here's wittily coiffed funny man Russell Kane to guide us through a showcase of rising talent.

It's a mix of stand-up, sketches and the occasional bit of music, with tonight's highlights including a chance to sample the oddball humour of Joe Wilkinson, best known so far as Russell Tovey's bonkers upstairs neighbour in Him & Her.

Here we have Emma Thompson slipping into HRH's slippers for this gently irreverent short drama, inspired by the real-life 1982 incident when intruder Michael Fagan broke into the royal bed chamber and stayed for a chat.

Eddie Marsan, one of the best character actors on British TV, is superb as Fagan, while Russell Tovey pops up as a cheery footman.

A largely forgotten footnote in a 60-year reign, the early-morning visit paid by Michael Fagan to Elizabeth II in 1982 is here turned into a showcase for Eddie Marsan and Emma Thompson, perfectly cast as the amiable but potentially volatile Fagan and composed but emotionally distant Liz. The pair make the sight of monarch and man-from-the-street chomping dog biscuits feel entirely natural , while Thompson's understated delivery as she alludes to her husband's dalliances rescues the sort of confessional that might have looked contrived or even comical on the page. Russell Tovey's Awol security officer breaks up the pace without adding much beyond a little context. But amid a sea of hyperbolic hymns of praise, this makes for a stately counterpoint, gently irreverent but still largely respectful to both parties.