Greg Davies (I)

Dara O'Briain returns to host the topical comedy show, along with regular panellists Hugh Dennis and Andy Parsons. Though supposedly a competition between two teams (though O'Briain usually couldn't care less about sensible scoring), it's more a brutal contest of wit, or at least forcefulness of character, as comedians with little to say and no talent for interjecting are sidelined. This week the guests subjecting themselves to comedic natural selection are stand-ups Milton Jones and Seann Walsh, The Thick Of It's Chris Addison and Greg Davies, AKA the sardonic Mr Gilbert from The Inbetweeners.

The jokes may be less clever than in its big brother, Have I Got News for You, but Mock the Week can still serve up a few laughs. Now, as the 10th series begins, Frankie Boyle - the one who seems get a thrill out of reciting the most controversial jokes he can think of - has moved on. As has BBC Three darling Russell Howard, though as he is the least funny of the regular panel this is nota great loss. Dara O'Briain returns as host, with Andy Parsons and the quite wonderful Hugh Dennis still in their panel seats. They are joined by Chris Addison (The Thick of It, insurance adverts), Greg Davies (the headmaster in The Inbetweeners), and stand-ups Milton Jones and Seann Walsh.

Familiar to many as the teacher who towers over the wretches of The Inbetweeners and bears an uncanny resemblance to Rik Mayall, Greg Davies returns to his native Shropshire. He takes an easy but effective pot shot at local newspaper headlines, does an extended routine about nicknames which will strike a chord with anyone who spent their teens at an all-boys school, and triumphs with an extended rant about owl cunnilingus. Guests are Roisin Conaty and Tom Deacon, who is good on the female tendency to clamber into pyjamas the moment they get home from work.

Greg Davies is probably best known to viewers as the fuming, frothing sixth-form teacher in The Inbetweeners, but he proves just as entertaining (and excitable) telling his own gags. This final stand-up session - it's Dave's answer to Live at the Apollo - takes place at the Severn Theatre in Davies' home town of Shrewsbury, and Davies drags a mortified old schoolmate out of the audience to make his point that, for him, puberty was evidently as dull, humiliating and rib-tickling as it is portrayed in the teen sitcom. Davies is even funnier on the woes of reaching middle age as, fortunately for us, he isn't too old to stop making silly faces and creepy voices. Also performing are hotly tipped newcomer Tom Deacon who describes the trials and tribulations of moving in with your girlfriend and her "comfies"; and less lucky in love, if equally witty, Roisin Conaty on living with her nan.

Greg Davies is so relentlessly silly, it can be tiring, but it can also be inspired, like here where he displays his stupid, stupid comedy to a hometown crowd. And is brilliantly heckled by a former classmate.

Greg Davies interview

Greg Davies is sitting in a hotel in Sheffield, not far from where the snooker final was recently held. "I like to paint a picture for readers," he says. "I've treated myself to a posh hotel this time, but I've spent most of my time over the past six months in hotels up and down the country while on tour."

Greg Davies interview

Family's important to Greg Davies and he's quick to point out that while he seemingly slates them so publicly in his act, he hopes this conveys what a close unit they really are. Watch him on Dave's One Night Stand this Thursday, where he returns to Shropshire, and you'll see him introducing his former stomping ground by way of some fierce bickering with his sister.

Greg Davies interview

Probably best known as the fearsome Mr Gilbert in The Inbetweeners, Greg Davies is also one-third of comedy troupe We Are Klang and an acclaimed stand-up in his own right. We spoke to Greg, and he revealed the truth about Shrewsbury and his meat flower...

Alex Horne: The boffins in search of the perfect gag

Can you learn to be funny? Can you study humour and unlock its scientific formula? Alex Horne swaps the comedy circuit for the lecture hall in search of the science of laughter. Plus, Greg Davies, Tim Minchin and Shazia Mirza tell us what really tickles them.

Interview: Greg Davies, comedian

An interview with comedian Greg Davies.