Brian Blessed

Christmas is cancelled! The double-length special introduces a slightly against-type Brian Blessed as a subdued Santa, and a perfectly cast Richard Ayoade as rubbish villain The Snowman. This icy fiend has atrocious bad-guy patter ("Snow you won't!") and a dastardly plan to overcome his apparent vulnerability to mild heat. Can Danger Mouse and Penfold thaw Earth before Christmas morning? Stay alert for a Walking in the Air gag that's a killer, even if you're five and don't get the reference.

Toast of London: series 3, episode 3 review

The strongest of the season so far. Featuring the inexplicably charming Jon Hamm, Brian Blessed, and the world's tallest castle.

Toast takes a spill down some stairs, and after bashing his noggin on some masonry finds himself beguiled by Jon Hamm, who makes a special guest appearance this week as himself. Hamm moves in opposite Toast and Ed's crumbling billet on Meard Street, and a charming courtship begins, but it threatens to be derailed with news that Toast's father Gonville (a brilliantly booming Brian Blessed) is on his last legs. With his estate to secure, Toast races to Somerset with his brother Blair to claim his birthright. Lovely stuff.

Toast of London, Channel 4 review

Jon Hamm and Brian Blessed add more delicious layers to Matt Berry's knowing comedy.

Radio Times review

After being hit on the head, terminal womaniser Steven Toast falls in love - with a man. And not just any man, but Jon Hamm, handsome star of Mad Men, who's making a film about Tommy Cooper in Dorset.

"I've literally never heard of him," Toast tells his giddy agent Jane Plough (pronounced Pluff). But once "the Hamm", as he is referred to throughout, walks through the doors of the decrepit Colonial Club, Toast (Matt Berry) is smitten. Not even he can resist the Hamm's fabled "charm and charisma" ("It's like black magic!").

Toast's puppy-like devotion - he makes Hamm a mix tape of marching tunes and spies on him as he undresses - is both idiotic and funny, and Hamm plays along with an admirable poker face. Watch out for guests Heida Reed (Poldark) and Brian Blessed as Toast's dad.

Toast of London Series 3 preview

In later episodes, as RadioTimes.com has previously revealed, we also meet Steven's Dad in the form of Brian Blessed and Toast gets a charisma lesson from Mad Men star Jon Hamm.

Brian Blessed to star as Steven Toast's father

Veteran actor will play the father of vain and bombastic luvvie in the upcoming series of the Channel 4 comedy, RadioTimes.com can reveal.

Brian Blessed divides opinion on HIGNFY

Having assumed hosting duties on a Have I Got News For You that was predictably dominated by Margaret Thatcher jokes, Brian Blessed stole the show and divided opinion at the same time.

David Walliams had a lucky escape from Jimmy Savile

David Walliams, the Little Britain star, says that, as a ten-year-old boy, he wrote to Jimmy Savile, asking him to fix it for him to meet Brian Blessed.

Wrapped up in colourful scarves, Stephen Fry and company are in particularly jovial mood tonight for this festive edition of the esoteric quiz. Answering questions on such subjects as ice and prawns, Ross Noble, Sean Lock, Brian Blessed and Alan Davies prove hilarious company as they reel off a number of anecdotes. For the comedian's quick wits, though, the most amusing moment comes from Lock falling off his chair.