New exhibit shows archive pictures of BBC comedians

Compton Verney exhibition charts 60 years of comedy, from Hancock's Half Hour to Miranda Hart.

Adil Ray interview

"I'm not writing Asian jokes for Asian people - I want everyone to enjoy them."

BBC sitcom Citizen Khan 'Islamophobic', says MP

A BBC sitcom has been criticised as "Islamophobic" during a Commons debate about whether the BBC's programmes and staff reflect UK diversity.

Somewhat distanced from the Christmas schedules proper, a special sprinkled with winterval wonder from Sparkhill's social shepherd. Mr K embraces the festive frivolities wholeheartedly, which might just have something to do with his new venture selling "traditional" halal mince pies. Shazia and Amjad are on the verge of seeking a stable to sleep in after their landlord announces the sale of their rented home. An angel in the form of Naani offers them the deposit, only for the cash to land in the lap of a decidedly unwise Khan.

Bumbling, bumptious Mr Khan adds entrepreneurial restaurateur to his CV by opening a fried chicken shop. There's just one problem: he's dipped deep into the Khan pension fund to pay for the finger-licking franchise, so has to keep it a secret from his wife, even as he recruits family and friends as staff. Will Mrs Khan's new obsession with tango help him dance around the subject? Adil Ray's broad Brummie sitcom continues, with Ronni Ancona guest-starring as an amorous fast-food-fryer with designs on Amjad.

As any parent will attest, nocturnal infant squawks opening the already reddened eyes of new mums and dads can send steam shooting through the ears of even the most mild-mannered. With little Mohammad keeping the sandman well away from Shazia and Amjad, Mr and Mrs Khan aim to dissipate the fug of tension by buying the new parents a romantic weekend break. For Mrs K, the goals are purely altruistic, while for Mr K the carrot of a Pride of Birmingham award is too tempting to pass up.

Adil Ray has received death threats and online abuse

Actor reveals he has been bombarded with abuse from those who think it makes fun of Islam and stereotypes Asians.

A new series for the increasingly enjoyable sitcom, and it's a proud day in the Khan household as Mr K declares himself a shoo-in for a civic role that could make him the talk of Birmingham - town crier of England's second city. Providing, of course, that the council falls for Papaji's relentless self-promotion. Luckily, a family trip to historic Farley Manor happens to coincide with a lavish civic reception. Can the patented Khan charm win an invite to the shindig from Lord Anstruther? Peter Bowles guests.

The return of Adil Ray's sitcom about a British-Pakistani family for a fourth series could be seen as a triumph of hope over experience. The comedy about a self-important Asian community leader from Birmingham has taken a battering from critics who've deemed it retrograde and unfunny. Expect more of the same tonight, when the Khans enjoy a family day out to a stately home to look at some of its Indian treasures. Mr Khan (Ray) hopes to hobnob with its owner, Lord Anstruther (Seventies sitcom star Peter Bowles), but his social climbing is undone by Naani's sticky fingers.

Alongside Citizen Khan's broad comedy, there are usually a few zingers from its characters about their view of the Raj. Most importantly, the programme offers a refreshingly upbeat view of British Muslim life which as Ray has pointed out in the past, is a counter-narrative to Islamic extremism. It fits nicely into the tradition of British sitcoms featuring blockheads who have their pomposity pricked, and if Khan's biggest offence is a lack of laughs, well, that never stopped My Family or Mrs Brown's Boys. It's harmless, friendly fun for the whole family.