Adam Hills

This is the show that started out as a late-night sidebar to the 2012 Paralympics and proved so popular it took on a life of its own.

This is also the show that says it's OK laugh at disability provided, that is, those jokes are made within the parameters of a fiendishly sensitive, unwritten set of rules with question one being: "Are you Frankie Boyle?" And question two being: "Is your name Jim Davidson?"

As a rule of thumb, if you can count up to 20 using your fingers and toes, don't even think about trying to join in yourself.

With regular panellist Alex Brooker out in Austria presenting The Jump, comedian Micky Flanagan joins host Adam Hills and Josh Widdicombe for the start of the new series.

Last year, Adam ­memorably remarked: "Getting angry at Jim Davidson because he doesn't know how to talk about disability is like getting angry at a dog for not knowing how to use the internet." There's a good chance the show might work up a nice head of steam about Davidson winning Celebrity Big Brother.

Adam Hills interview

"I was on an American TV show a couple of years ago and tried to do the mean, snarky comedy that Americans really like," Adam Hills told Digital Spy when we ask him about his new DVD and "unofficial new religion" Happyism. "I bombed really badly because it's not what I'm good at. It was awful, it was a really horrible death on American television because I just tried to be mean about celebrities.

Radio Times review

If the last act tonight, Terry Alderton, looks familiar, that may be because you've seen him as Bianca's taxi-driving boyfriend in EastEnders. But he was a comedian before he was an actor - and before that he was a goalkeeper for Southend United. He has also presented the National Lottery - it's quite a CV - and his stand-up is resolutely left-field: at one stage he stands on his head and acts out a conversation between his two shoes.

Before Alderton we're on safer ground with host Adam Hills, who does a brilliant job of forming a boy band from members of the audience. He's not always laugh-out-loud funny, but something about Hills' act makes you feel better about life.

Adam Hills and Sandi Toksvig to host revived 15 to 1

Adam Hills will host four celebrity specials of the classic quiz show while Sandi Toksvig takes over for a run of 20 daytime episodes.

Review: Adam Hills: Happyism - Newcastle

Unlike most acts where the audience need a break to get a drink or stretch their legs, at this show you need an interval to catch your breath from constant laughing.

Adam Hills takes Barnstaple crowd bowling

Adam Hills took the crowd at a recent stand-up gig bowling after the show.

Adam Hills interview

Adam Hills talks 'taches, TV stars and why he's joining the hairy masses in the month of Movember.

Adam Hills interview

"I was on an American TV show a couple of years ago and tried to do the mean, snarky comedy that Americans really like. I bombed really badly because it's not what I'm good at. It was awful, it was a really horrible death on American television because I just tried to be mean about celebrities."

There's no Graham Norton to challenge the Chatty Man tonight, just the small matter of Children In Need to contend with. So there are no Hollywood stars sweeping into Carr's space, just a hat-trick of TV favourites, with Derren Brown previewing his new TV caper The Great Art Robbery, comedian Adam Hills having a giggle over his debut stand-up show, Happyism, and Russell Brand discussing his Messiah Complex, out soon on DVD. And with One Direction busy on BBC One, The Wanted seize their moment to provide the music.