Beverley Knight

When Rob Brydon says: "Time now for some music," you may be forgiven for thinking, as opposed to what, exactly?

It's only week two of his new chat show series and he's ­shamelessly grabbed every chance he can get to grab the mic and show off his crooning.

That No 1 Comic Relief single must have gone to his head.

But seriously, Rob, why not just apply to go on The X Factor? We won't think any less of you.

This week, his talking guest is Bill Bailey, who made a career out of combining music and comedy. One duet (yes, there's more than one) involves cowbells and Elvis. Bell-vis, anyone?

There's yet another duet with his other guest, British soul diva Beverley Knight (who's got stories about meeting the Queen and Prince) while Australian comic Celia Pacquola gets to have the stage all to herself.

Two very funny female comics in two weeks? That's one trend we do approve of.

Rob Brydon's cheerful dismantling of the chat-show format continues. After a chinwag with the audience, culminating in a couple being presented with a tin of biscuits for their anniversary, Brydon welcomes Bill Bailey. He's not plugging anything, and Brydon barely interviews him at all before moving on to musical japes: a punked-up show tune, a fantastic Elvis cover with Bailey on Swiss cowbells and, later, a massive horn. In between all that are light but likeable stand-up comic Celia Pacquola, and the persistent Beverley Knight, who has a new covers album to promote, and somehow looks just as good as she did when her first LP came out 16 years ago. Her duet with Brydon at first seems to be one of the most embarrassing TV moments of the decade, but don't worry, there's a gag coming. Finally, Knight blasts out Cuddly Toy by Roachford. Tune!