Griff Rhys Jones

Griff Rhys Jones interview

Tiggerish Griff Rhys Jones on how anger got him ahead in television, coping with rejection and why Mel Smith's death was 'very, very annoying'.

Unseen Smith & Jones footage at Slapstick Festival

Unseen footage of Griff Rhys Jones and Mel Smith will be shown at the Bristol Slapstick Festival 2015.

Controversy as Girff Rhys Jones made uni chancellor

Comedian Griff Rhys Jones has become unwittingly embroiled in a row at Cardiff University over his appointment as the University's new Chancellor.

Lost poems of Douglas Adams and Griff Rhys Jones found

The lost poems of Douglas Adams and Griff Rhys Jones have been found in school cupboard.

Cutty Sark's hold is unveiled as London's new venue

London's newest theatre was today unveiled in the hold of the Cutty Sark. Comedians Alan Davies and Ross Noble, round-the-world yachtsman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and sailing enthusiast Griff Rhys Jones are among the inaugural line-up of performers in the 100-seat venue at King William Walk, Greenwich.

Griff Rhys Jones: I'm exploring my real Welshness

"My father became Welsh on the telephone, God bless him. Even in Epping, Wales was my homeland"

Having enjoyed what Stephen Fry described as a "full life", Mel Smith died in July aged just 60. At this time of year, it's probably his Rockin' around the Christmas Tree duet that comes to mind first, but the clowning about was part of a rich career that shaped British comedy but also took in straight acting and directing, TV production and a modicum of high living.

Rowan Atkinson remembers a "wonderful sort of peace" in performing alongside him, and John Lloyd credits Smith with developing the naturalistic style that characterises modern alternative comedy. Lloyd and Atkinson are joined by Richard Curtis and, of course, his sketch partner Griff Rhys Jones to commemorate Mel Smith's contribution to both comedy and life in general. Home video and lots of classic sketches (which really do stand the test of time) tell the story of a beloved comic personality.

Griff Rhys Jones interview

Griff Rhys Jones, about to play Charles Dickens on stage, talks about the author's inexhaustible talent and his popularisation of Christmas.

Griff Rhys Jones: 'Mel Smith died shockingly early.'

Comedy partner reveals how he coped with his friend's death.

Griff Rhys Jones on his comedy soul mate Mel Smith

"I think we made some 50 hours of TV together. God knows a lot of it won't bear repeating, but when it was good it was sheer bliss to perform with Mel".