Amanda Hale

The sight of the snidey ­Archdeacon Robert never fails to cheer us up on a Thursday evening - if only for his ­Tintin-esque hairdo.

Instead of the comb-over, he's invented the comb-UP, which is thrillingly pioneering for a man of his age.

This week he has a special gift for our very favourite vicar - a brand new female curate to help lighten his load.

Abi (played by Amanda Hale, who was so amazing as poor Agnes Rackham in The Crimson Petal And The White) turns out to be an absolute paragon of virtue and efficiency and an instant hit with her new ­congregation - which sends poor Adam (Tom Hollander) into fits of melancholy and jealousy.

So thank Heaven that he has his good friend Colin to lift his spirits - in ways he'd never have dreamed of.

Adorable, sweet and laugh out loud funny, Rev just gets more divine each week.

Jane Simon, The Mirror, 17th November 2011

Inner-city vicar Adam Smallbone (Tom Hollander) is perturbed when his vulpine archdeacon appoints a young female curate. And Abi (Amanda Hale) is so clever and enthusiastic that both he and Nigel (Miles Jupp) dislike her on sight. When she piously declares she wants to say a prayer before the meditation class, Nigel adds, helpfully: "It's just fat mums doing yoga."

Adam knows such thoughts are ignoble, but he can't help himself. Soon Abi is a big hit and Adam's world falls apart. It's another sweet episode of this soft-centred comedy held aloft by the wonderful Hollander. The scene where he joins in a children's service while tripping on ecstasy is a sight to behold.

Alison Graham, Radio Times, 17th November 2011

Crack-addicted squirrels and a brilliant - and rather attractive - new curate, Abi (Amanda Hale), are the latest trials to test the faith of the Rev Adam Smallbone (Tom Hollander) of St Saviour's, East London, in this lovably gentle comedy. Adam's initial enthusiasm at the prospect of someone to cover his weekends off soon gives way to jealousy, self-doubt and resentment when he realises how much better Abi is at his job. Surprisingly, Colin's (Steve Evets) chemical-based solution doesn't help.

Gerald O'Donovan, The Telegraph, 16th November 2011