Jeremy Hardy: a ferocious talent who radicalised radio comedy

Provocative and political, the stand-up – who has died aged 57 – shook up Radio 4 at a time when it was in danger of resembling a Rotary Club quiz night Although generally excluded from lists of BBC Radio 4 shows of historic longevity, a series present…

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‘I absolutely freaked’: Benita Collings on Play School, ageing and the oddities of fame

Speaking ahead of the stage show Senior Moments, Collings talks about what it was like to be Australia’s TV mumIf you grew up with a TV in Australia, Benita Collings was very likely your on-screen mum.Benita (we were on a first name basis) was my most …

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Ben Bailey Smith on groovy dancing, UK rap stars and quiz show hell

The rapper, standup and actor – AKA Doc Brown – answered your questions on writing children’s books, the best of British hip-hop, Brexit confusion and rapping with Ricky Gervais 2.09pm GMT Time’s up!That’s my time y’all. Thanks for all your questions, …

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Billy Connolly announces retirement from live performance

Comedian also rejects suggestions that Parkinson’s disease has ‘dulled’ his brainBilly Connolly has announced that after a half-century career in standup, music, film and television he is retiring from live performing.The news came in an interview wher…

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Wanda Sykes on why she had to quit Roseanne – but still has empathy for its star

When Roseanne Barr wrote a racist tweet, the comedian walked off the show – and 90 minutes later it was cancelled. She talks about the furore, coming out and being booed by Trump fansThe last time Wanda Sykes was booed was four days after Donald Trump …

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Susan Calman: ‘When was I happiest? Dancing with Kevin Clifton on Strictly’

The comedian and writer on her fear of flying, Adrian Mole and sniffing her cats’ pawsBorn in Glasgow, Susan Calman, 44, was a lawyer before becoming a standup in 2006. She was in the Channel 4 sketch show, Blowout, which won a Scottish Bafta in 2007, …

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Can Harry Hill teach kids to be funny?

The big-collared clown’s new touring show is a galloping riot of idiocy aimed at children – and they love it. Whether they learn anything is another matterComedy for kids is on the rise. Phil Ellis’s knockabout Funz and Gamez won an Edinburgh Comedy aw…

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‘I felt a duty to speak up’: the female comic who opened for Louis CK

The standup continued his contentious comeback in Paris – presenting a dilemma for the woman asked to gig with himBeing asked to open for a famous comic is every struggling standup comedian’s dream. A chance to be seen, to get a foot in the door. But w…

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Mark Gatiss: ‘The League of Gentlemen was a premonition of Brexit’

After a turn on stage as George III, the co-founder of the League is returning to horror to recreate Dracula for TV. What he finds ‘frightening and debilitating’ now, though, is leaving the EUMark Gatiss is recalling an early memory, rocking back and f…

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Mark Gatiss: ‘The League of Gentlemen was a premonition of Brexit’

After a turn on stage as George III, the co-founder of the League is returning to horror to recreate Dracula for TV. What he finds ‘frightening and debilitating’ now, though, is leaving the EUMark Gatiss is recalling an early memory, rocking back and f…

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