BCG Daily Thursday 29th May 2014

Ophelia Lovibond on playing Robin in Mr Sloane

It is easy to see why she has already been likened to Woody Allen's original muse Diane Keaton. Apart from their shared striking looks, her comic timing is impeccable.

Meera Syal now part of English GCSE

Wolverhampton-born Meera Syal and Indian-born George Orwell rub shoulders with Shakespeare and Dickens in a new GCSE English literature book list.

Radio Times review

Iain's engagement party is a low-key affair. Meg (Jo Joyner) is in the throng, still trying not to be envious of the woman who's now receiving her old squeeze's comforting, Michael Palin charm. While Iain worries that his hitherto unseen father-in-law will turn out to be exactly his age and temperament, Matt (Chris Addison) is tied up with a gang of local military nerds. The white lie that he was the skinniest hero in Helmand threatens to turn dark.

It's not the strongest episode, because the ongoing dramas take up space where traditional, farcical pay-offs should be, but there are glints of brilliance everywhere. Addison's drunk acting is a joy, and be sure to arrive on time for the pre-titles sequence, where Iain treats some difficult elderly patients.

Celebrity Squares: Tim Vine & Joe Wilkinson join show

Tim Vine and Him and Her star Joe Wilkinson have signed up to join ITV's reboot of Celebrity Squares. The duo will be resident celebrities in the programme, and will take a place in one of the squares for each episode.

How we made Welcome to Our Village

How is a radio sitcom developed? Eddie Robson talks about how his series Welcome to Our Village, Please Invade Carefully was created.

Struan Logan interview

An interview with Struan Logan, who has been gigging since June 2010.

Vicky McClure to make comedy series set in Nottingham

The Bafta-winning actress Vicky McClure, star of the film and drama series This is England, is set to produce a comedy series based in her home city of Nottingham. McClure is hoping that the series will be aired by the new local television franchise Notts TV, which launched this week.

Tickets now on sale for Ealing Comedy Festival

David Baddiel, Rich Hall and Marcus Brigstocke are among the headliners.

Daniel Sloss interview

The 23-year-old from Edinburgh will make a television pilot for a major US studio. He says "My mind is equally as blown as everyone else's. I am so flattered. To get the chance to write a pilot script is something I'm looking forward to immensely. This is something I genuinely never expected to be offered, so I'll try and not screw it up."

Britain's Got Talent's Toju was on Balls Of Steel

If you sat through comedian Toju Okurodudu's performance on the Britain's Got Talent semi-final thinking that he looked a tad familiar, then here's why. The 40-year-old funnyman found fleeting fame a few years back as one of the stars of Channel 4 prank show Balls Of Steel.

Polly Brown interview

Polly Brown describes herself as a 'comedienne, presenter, entertainer and model'.

The Ivor Dembina three minute interview

Veteran Jewish comedian Ivor Dembina is founder and resident host of the two decades old, Hampstead Comedy Club. His popular 2013 Edinburgh show, Old Jewish Jokes returns to the Fringe in August. Martin Walker asked Ivor some questions, but he answered some better ones.