BCG Daily Tuesday 23rd February 2021

British comedy needs a new Brass Eye

Now, more than ever, we need the fierce intelligence of a Chris Morris to hold a mirror up to our fractured society. Imagine what delicious mincemeat he would make of the wearisome culture war or the limp ineptitude of our current batch of politicians. As for Covid and the whole vaccine palaver, he'd probably just shrug and say 'let them eat cake' in his best Ted Maul drawl.

Helen Duff: I didn't orgasm until I was 30

I used to pride myself on being a good-time girl. Audaciously confident in my stand-up comedy career, smashing taboos in my award-nominated Edinburgh shows and shaking off the shackles of an eating disorder which had plagued my late teens and early 20s. Bold. Brazen. Brave. So why the flip couldn't I come?

Tips for attending the Edinburgh Festival Fringe

At the time of writing it has not been confirmed whether the Edinburgh Festival Fringe will take place this year. After a lot of people hoped that it would happen in 2020 but almost all of the shows were cancelled. Although I did go up there to see an open air comedy gig, which was the only actual gig that took place in the city during August 2020.

Paul Vickers (Mr Twonkey): making an album in lockdown

I was talking to musical one-off Paul Vickers (aka comedy one-off Mr Twonkey) a few weeks ago and we thought it might be interesting to do a blog about how, during the COVID lockdown, he had managed to write an entire album for his band Paul Vickers and The Leg.

The live comedy scene tries to see the funny side

Nick Mills, one of London's key comedy promoters, says the return will be 'easier' than before, but further support is still needed.

Richard Stott: how being disabled informs my comedy

I've been a comedian for nearly four years now but I've been making jokes about myself and my condition my whole life.

Rosie Jones: 'I am proud to be a gay, disabled woman'

Less than five years ago, Rosie Jones made the leap from TV researcher (for panel shows like Would I Lie To You?) to comedian. Why did she quit a job she loved to become a little-known name on a competitive circuit? "Probably my own ego," she laughs.

The remarkable life of OFAH star Buster Merryfield

Before starring in Only Fools And Horses, Buster Merryfield had already packed a lot into his life.

Pauline Quirke fell out with co-stars after toilet row

Birds Of A Feather star Pauline Quirke fell out with her castmates after an extraordinary row outside a toilet.

The actress, 61, is no longer speaking to former best pal Linda Robson or Lesley Joseph following several backstage barneys.