Graham Norton

With Fridays being the unofficial stand-up night of the week (­seriously, check out tonight's telly - so much comedy there's not even room to swing a cat-sized reality show around), the award ceremony dedicated to all things funny sits among welcoming surroundings.

Jonathan Ross is on hosting duties so, as the show is live, we hope somebody at Channel 4 HQ has their quickest finger poised over the "bleep" button.

Those hoping to make winners' speeches include Miranda Hart, who deservedly won best new TV comedy and best comedy actress last year.

She's up for a ­whopping four awards this time, including the people's choice gong, which is voted for by us.

But the category's a toughie this year, with the marvellous Jo Brand and Sarah Millican also hoping to steal the honours. In our eyes, they all deserve to win.

The male awards aren't any easier to predict, with David Mitchell, Graham Norton and Jack Whitehall fighting to be named the nation's favourite male ­comedian (although, given the year he's had, John Bishop should have been up).

While all the names we've mentioned deserve their nominations, there are some categories where you get the impression one or two shows are just in there to make up the numbers.

But as this is comedy night and we're in such a jolly mood, we won't be so cruel as to name them.

Now in their 21st year, the British Comedy Awards have long served as a bellwether for the state of British comedy, from the quirky satire of the early 1990s, through the energetic sketch shows of the mid- to late-90s, to the recent success of family-friendly stand-up comics like Peter Kay, Michael McIntyre and John Bishop. Thanks to a sharp host, a ready supply of funny clips and a suitably witty audience, they've also been one of the few live awards ceremonies actually worth watching.

Tonight's event is hosted live by Jonathan Ross. Leading the nominees is Miranda Hart, who is up for four awards, while Harry Hill gets three nods. Hart, last year's Queen of Comedy winner, is up for the award again, with David Mitchell, Telegraph agony uncle Graham Norton, Jack Whitehall, Jo Brand and Sarah Millican also in the running. Tamsin Greig and Tom Rosenthal are nominated for best TV comedy actress and best comedy breakthrough artist respectively for their roles in Friday Night Dinner, while Hugh Dennis and Claire Skinner have been singled out for their contribution to Outnumbered. Downton Abbey's Hugh Bonneville receives a nomination for his role in the Olympic comedy Twenty Twelve.

Jonathan Ross presides as comedians and TV producers drink themselves wretched and honk and bellow over each other's speeches. Probable attendees include last year's victor Miranda Hart, and this year's nominees for the public vote, Jack Whitehall, David Mitchell, Sarah Millican, Jo Brand and Graham Norton. But best of all, it's live. That combination of booze and live broadcast is really the only reason for this in the first place.

Tom Allen gets chatty

Watch out Graham Norton, Tom Allen's electric new chat show comes to London next week. Emma McAlpine speaks to the sharp-witted host about weird guest revelations, stripping 76-year-olds and the shows that inspire him.

Graham Norton, Telegraph agony uncle and purveyor of uncouth - but very funny - humour, welcomes Britain's most successful pop star, the evergreen Sir Cliff Richard. The pair may not share a taste in comedy but I'm willing to bet Sir Cliff will be a good sport. He's promoting his Soulicious tour, which has three remaining dates. Joining him are Lord Sugar and comedian Micky Flanagan; also, X Factor judge Kelly Rowland performs her new single Down for Whatever.

Ricky Gervais and Johnny Depp make up on Graham Norton

Johnny Depp and Ricky Gervais have appeared together on The Graham Norton Show as the latter promotes his new sitcom, Life's Too Short, proving that the pair bear no grudges towards each other.

The reliably entertaining series becomes a must-see tonight as Hollywood sweetheart Carey Mulligan, comedians Ed Byrne and Ricky Gervais plonk themselves on Graham Norton's sofa.

Although between professional motormouths Ricky and Graham, we're not sure how much of a look in Carey and Ed are going to get. If they manage to utter more than a single sentence each, it will be to plug Carey's new movie, Shame, and... er, we're not sure why Ed Byrne is there.

It's certainly not to just make up the numbers, because there's another guest I forgot to mention - a certain Mr Johnny Depp (I know - major squeal alert!). Captain Jack Sparrow is there to look all dreamy. And yummy. And delicious. And... Sorry, I got a bit carried away there.

The Hollywood heartthrob is in town to talk about his new movie, The Rum Diary.

Music is from Snow Patrol.

Nobody adds more value to celebrity chat than Graham Norton. He creates a kind of cocktail-party feel, so his guests end up riffing off each other in unlikely ways. Anyone who saw his show where actor James McAvoy ended up in a three-way mind-reading contest with Liza Minnelli and Jack Dee will know what I mean.

McAvoy is back tonight: he tends to play sad roles (the wronged hero in Atonement, the young Charles Xavier in X-Men: First Class), but can be quick-witted on a TV sofa. He'll need to be to compete with fellow guest John Bishop. Arctic Monkeys provide the music.

Graham Norton: 'I would take BBC pay cut'

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