Amanda Holden

20 facts for Jonathan Creek's 20th anniversary

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the first time that David Renwick's ingenious creation first hit our screens. To celebrate, here's a look at 20 things you may not know about everyone's favourite tousle-haired, windmill-dwelling amateur sleuth.

This will come as a comic relief to many. Comedian Matt Lucas has given up writing in the English language. Well, at least he has in his latest offering, Pompidou (BBC Twop, Sunday).

Indeed, the only uttering of the Queen's English was "good afternoon". After which, it was a half-hour of boggling gibberish which made an episode of Jamaica Inn sound like a Shakespeare soliloquy recited by Mark Rylance. I do sincerely hope that BBC Worldwide release the scripts of this show in a leather-bound volume. Or did a script even exist?

The set up was quite promising. It centred on the toff Pompidou (Lucas) who cannot afford to live in his rundown stately home, so has decamped to an ugly caravan in the grounds with his butler Hove (Alex MacQueen), and a dog (Dog). After establishing this, it was a slide into befuddlement, as Pompidou and Hove first went fishing, then ended up in the local hospital after the manservant swallowed a bird. No, the feathered variety.

There were moments when I did laugh, but they may have been involuntary spasms upon realising that someone had commissioned this "silent movie". Although, of course, there was speech, just not in a language we recognised.

Was this comedy turned down by CBeebies, because it sounded like everyone, excepting the pooch, had received elocution lessons from In The Night Garden's Igglepiggle? The great surprise was the credits, showing five writers, including Lucas, were responsible for the show. So, that is one to put the kettle on, two to find the cups, and two more to open the biscuits.

I am desperate to say that it was the worst comedy since Amanda Holden's breakthrough role in Big Top, but I am going to hold that judgement until I see a foreign sub-titled version of Pompidou. A version dubbed in Swedish would be my pick, introduced by the chef from Sesame Street.

Neil Morrissey talks about Amanda Holden affair

Neil Morrissey has opened up about the affair he had with Amanda Holden.

Neil Morrissey talks about Amanda Holden affair

Neil Morrissey, who has never said sorry to Les Dennis for the affair with his wife Amanda Holden, insisted the marriage was already on the rocks before he became involved

Amanda Holden sexually assaulted by a famous comedian

Amanda Holden has revealed she was sexually assaulted by a famous comedian while married to Les Dennis.

Amanda Holden fuming after jokes about ex, Les Dennis

Amanda Holden was fuming after Simon Cowell poked fun at her failed marriage to comedian Les Dennis.

David Walliams 'nervous but excited about the baby'

Amanda Holden says fellow Britain's Got Talent judge David Walliams is nervous but excited about becoming a father for the first time.

Expect an explosion of camp and innuendo face-off when host Alan Carr welcomes comedian David Walliams to the studio tonight. The men's penchant for Carry On-style humour means it's likely to be liberally sprinkled throughout an episode that also welcomes guests Amanda Holden, Walliams's fellow judge on Britain's Got Talent, comedian Eddie Izzard and the cast of the reality show Made In Chelsea. Music comes from American indie rock band Gossip.

Jim Davidson says BGT and Amanda Holden are a joke

Comic Jim Davidson has accused Britain's Got Talent of dumbing down telly - and blasted judge Amanda Holden for having no showbiz credentials.

Amanda Holden: 'I loathe Frankie Boyle'

"Frankie Boyle. I loathe him," Holden explained. "I don't think he's funny or clever and I don't understand why anyone would give him a television show. You can print that."