Al Murray

How Harry Hill got me out of bed, by Al Murray

Everyone needs a guiding light to cajole, advise and encourage. Al Murray on Harry Hill, the man who inspired him to become 'The Pub Landlord'.

Al Murray: 'Comedy's my living... how did that happen?'

We're all doomed, says the surprisingly well-spoken comedian, who's just as livid as his Pub Landlord alter ego about our 'preposterous' politicians. Nick Duerden meets Al Murray.

Al Murrary: the Pub Landlord and me

Al Murray tells the story of his 20-year relationship with his hilariously awful alter-ego, the Pub Landlord.

Al Murray mocks Blur at Q Awards

All eyes were on the guests at yesterday's Q Awards, but host Al Murray also took some of the limelight, poking fun at Blur's failure to tell fans what they had planned for the future.

Video: Al Murray backs Frankie Boyle after libel win

Comedian Al Murray has come out in support of Frankie Boyle saying "the world is getting sillier".

Frankie Boyle won £54,900 in damages after a High Court jury concluded that the Daily Mirror had libelled him by describing him as "racist".

Daily Mirror publisher Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) defended the piece "on the basis of truth and fair comment".

The comedian was talking to Newsbeat's entertainment reporter Natalie Jamieson after hosting The Q Awards.

This deliciously funny series returns with chief curator John Lloyd (producer of Not the Nine O'Clock News, Spitting Image and QI), ably assisted by Jimmy Carr. The duo ask guests including Al Murray to donate objects of curiosity, with laugh-out-loud comedic effect guaranteed.

Al Murray, Tim Key and lots of rum

Producer Julia McKenzie gives us a behind the scenes look at recording Alex Horne Presents The Horne Section: Edinburgh Special - listen to the programme on Sunday at 19.15.

Chris Morris's scathing satire Brass Eye, Jessica Hynes and Simon Pegg's brilliantly offbeat Spaced, Victoria Pile's gloriously surreal Green Wing - Channel 4, it's fair to say, has reeled out a number of memorable comedies since it launched in 1982. Part of C4's Funny Fortnight, this lively two-hour programme counts down its top 30, as voted for by readers of the station's website. "Rude, radical, and irreverent, over the last 30 years Channel 4 comedy has taken us on one hell of a ride," intones the narrator, with no shortage of hyperbole. Though the tone, of course, is self-congratulatory, there's still plenty to enjoy here, not least the terrific archived footage, which reminds you why these show's have such an enduring appeal. Interspersed with these clips are hilarious insights from an impressive array of talking heads: among them, Tamsin Greig, Sally Phillips, Al Murray, Charlie Higson, David Mitchell, Robert Webb, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Simon Pegg and Jessica Hynes, who says about Spaced: "When I think about all the things I've done, that was the most intense, the most fun, the thing I'm most proud of." One caveat: how did a show as derivative as Star Stories make it on to the list?

If Tasmin Archer badger, Stouffer the cat and Burt Kwouk as a chicken catcher raise a misty-eyed smile, then you were probably a fan of The Harry Hill Show sketch series that ran from 1997 to 1999 before high-collared Hill - and cohort Al Murray - became megastars. In honour of C4's 30th birthday the cast offer up mockumentary-style 'reminiscences' between clips as they contemplate a reunion.

There was a time, before TV Burp made him a household name, when Harry Hill was best known for a brilliant but utterly bananas Channel 4 sketch show with a cult following.

To say that The Harry Hill Show], which ran from 1997-99, divided people is putting it kindly; even those who adored it probably wouldn't have marked Hill out as a future megastar.

Now as part of Funny Fortnight, which celebrates Channel 4's 30th birthday with a raft of new shows and old favourites, Hill fronts this reunion mockumentary looking at what made Stouffer the Cat, Bert Kwouk and Brother Alan (played by another superstar-in-waiting, Al Murray) into obscure comedy icons. If there isn't a badger parade (remember Tasmin Archer Badger and Gareth Southgate Badger?) we'll all be very cross indeed.