Colin Paterson

Ricky Gervais: 'Bowie kept illness from everyone'

Ricky Gervais has revealed he was exchanging emails with David Bowie two weeks before his death but that Bowie kept the state of his health a secret.

Video: Acts descend on Edinburgh for festival

Thousands of performers and artists from all over the world are flocking to Scotland's capital city for the Edinburgh Festival. Established acts are guaranteed large audiences and for newcomers the event is an opportunity to get themselves noticed. But the chance to stand in the spotlight comes with a price tag, as Colin Paterson reports.

Barren Knights: Why comedians rarely receive honours

With his inclusion on the Birthday Honours, Lenny Henry joins an elite list of comedians to receive a knighthood. We look back at five funnymen who achieved the rank.

Video: Stephen Fry on the BAFTAs

This weekend Stephen Fry will host the glitzy and glamorous BAFTAs for the 10th time. It's been a busy year for him already as he got married to his partner Elliott Spencer in January.

He's been speaking to our Entertainment Correspondent Colin Paterson about his first two weeks as a husband, his controversial comments on religion, and hosting Sunday's star studded award ceremony.

Video: The stand-up comic who cannot speak

He is a stand-up comic, but he cannot speak. Lee Ridley has Cerebral Palsy and uses a voice synthesizer to communicate.

Last year his friends encouraged him to take up comedy and two months ago he did his first show, calling himself Lost Voice Guy.

Entertainment correspondent Colin Paterson went to meet him.

Video: Jupitus takes satirical look at the Big Society

Comedian Phill Jupitus is starring in a new political satire called Big Society which is a spoof music hall show poking fun at Prime Minister David Cameron, the coalition government and pretty much everyone else in a position of power.

So is this a return to an age-old tradition of sending up the establishment on stage?

The BBC's Entertainment Correspondent Colin Paterson went along to rehearsals.

Audio: A coffee and a chat with Russell Brand

While promoting his new film Arthur, comedian and actor Russell Brand breaks off midway through interviews to grab a coffee.

What does he say when he returns? Brand told Colin Paterson on BBC Radio 5 Live: "I needed some caffeine!"

"I popped to the lavvy, caffeine... refreshed, reinvigorated, ready to get on the BBC and chat to you."