Paul Merton In Galton & Simpson's...

When you pull together a triumvirate as powerful as this (two of Britain's funniest writers and its funniest performer), you can't go far wrong because, like sex, even when it's bad it's still pretty damn good. Galton and Simpson are masters of comic writing (secreting some genuinely touching and truthful moments in among the gags, something that's sadly all too rare in contemporary sitcom), and they must be enjoying the new lease of life that Carlton has given their vintage work.

Ian Hislop once called its funniest performer a dangerous alien from planet Stroppy. He is given to soaringly surreal flights of fancy and dive-bombing belligerence. As an actor, he is solid wood, however you slice him.