Frankie Boyle

Why Frankie Boyle should not be banned from the BBC

There were calls this week for controversial comedian Frankie Boyle to be banned from the BBC after he cracked a joke about IRA terrorism. Speaking on his BBC Two show, Frankie Boyle's New World Order, Boyle - a favourite of edgy teenagers everywhere - mocked Theresa May's recent attempts to thrash out a Brexit compromise with her cabinet at Chequers. With so many leading Tories in one place, Boyle joked: 'Where the fuck are the IRA when you need them?'

Timed to coincide with the UK's lurch into uncharted territory, courtesy of Article 50 (although an extension remains a distinct possibility at the time of writing), the acerbic comedian returns for a new series that sees him try to make sense of the chaos surrounding Brexit.

TV's most splenetic satirical show returns to pour scorn on that disreputable lot in the Commons. Brexit, inevitably, is set to dominate, but expect a withering dissection of whatever nonsense scandal has bubbled up after we've gone to print as well.

Scotland's funniest 60 people

As the Glasgow International Comedy Festival prepares to launch with a gaggle of giggles later this month, we count down Scotland's funniest 60 people.

This show might represent a bowdlerised Boyle. But even at his mildest, he is a gnarlier proposition than any other comedian who finds his way on to the Beeb these days. Expect his review of the year to be unstinting in its scorn for everything from the British elite to the US president.

Frankie Boyle's review of 2018

'Let's forget Brexit and enjoy our last Christmas with running water'

Frankie Boyle storms off stage over hecklers during gig

He is seen by some as a stand-up comedy king of the put-down. But Scots comedian Frankie Boyle was not in the mood for dealing with hecklers at his latest show in Glasgow. Fans have revelled in plentiful YouTube videos of the best of Frankie Boyle insults.

Edinburgh 10x10: As seen on Netflix

Ten Fringe comics also available on the streaming service

Edinburgh 10x10: As seen on Netflix

There's no denying Netflix is a game-changer for comedy, especially Stateside, with a new special being released every week. Here are ten comics at the Fringe who can also be viewed via the on-demand service.