Hugh Dennis

Q&A: Hugh Dennis

'I'd rather have nothing worth stealing than live my life trying to protect things'

Hugh Dennis - My MI5 interview

Comedian Hugh Dennis, talking to Richard Bacon, recalls his job interview with MI5.

How much of this allegedly improvised show is actually made up on the spot and how much has been scripted and rehearsed is a matter of debate.

But if you can overlook this glaring infringement of comedy trading standards it's still a very funny - and surprisingly clean - show about 75 per cent of the time.

Hosted by Hugh Dennis, it also provides a good opportunity for comedians to offload all kinds of off-the-wall material they'd never be able to shoe-horn into a traditional stand-up gig, sitcom or topical panel show.

If you need any further persuasion to tune in tonight, I must urge you not to miss a game called 'Improvised Dance' which sees David Armand putting his own moves on You Can't Hurry Love. It's the most fun you'll ever have listening to Phil Collins.

New comedy improvisation show with a very talented cast. Hugh Dennis hosts and the performers include The Thick Of It's Justin Edwards, Perrier-winner Laura Solon, The Penny Dreadfuls' Humphrey Ker and Greg Davies from The Inbetweeners. It's a pacey mix of Whose Line Is It Anyway? (Dan Patterson created that and this) and Mock the Week but in a good way. It's new comedy, so try to give it at least two episodes before you whine endlessly on Twitter about how rubbish you think it is.

Second helping of this new comedy improv show from the makers of Mock The Week. Hugh Dennis, of the aforementioned topical comedy vehicle, is the most prominent name involved, but Fast and Loose is also a showcase for some of the most respected names on the live comedy circuit, such as Laura Solon and Justin Edwards (aka hilarious drunken children's entertainer Jeremy Lion).

This improvised show promises to leave viewers gasping like Gillian McKeith facing a bucket of maggots.

Created by veteran producer Dan Paterson, it sounds like his Whose Line Is It Anyway? for a new generation no bad thing.

Comedy talent, including Laura Solon, Justin Edwards, Marek Larwood, Pippa Evans, Humphrey Ker, David Armand and Greg Davies, will be pitting their wits in a series of games spoofing films, TV programmes and music.

Host Hugh Dennis says: "We have electronic trickery, animated chickens, songs and games including a fantastic sideways scene. It's half an hour of controlled improvised silliness and there is no scoring and no stars."

Hugh Dennis interview

Outnumbered funnyman Hugh Dennis graces TV screens this week with a new comedy show on BBC2.

Host Dara O'Briain's larger-than-average head comes in for stick in this seasonal special of the topical panel show ("On a normalsized head that would be a full head of hair," grins comedian Ed Byrne, pointing at O Briain's balding pate). Other not-so-festive topics in a compilation of previously unseen clips include police cuts and earthquake training. We're also treated to a news clip of the Queen shopping for a catsuit to wear for her annual broadcast on Christmas Day - or at least that's what team captain Hugh Dennis thinks Her Majesty is up to.

Now Show Preview - Jeremy Hunt and the Cult of Hunting

On tonight's Now Show, Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis take a topical trip around tuition fees and Today tongue-twisters. Musical Mitch Benn sees the world through Lennon's eyes; German stand-up Henning Wehn probes our World Cup hypocrisy; John Finnemore wonders at the sexual magnetism of a certain Lib Dem MP and Laura Shavin reveals what every woman wants for Christmas.

Video: Why Footlights is a double act breeding ground

Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis explain to BBC Breakfast why The Cambridge Footlights have produced so many successful double acts over the years, including Mitchell and Webb, Armstrong and Miller, and Fry and Laurie.