Jimmy Savile

Alistair McGowan admits misgivings over Savile play

Alistair McGowan has admitted he had misgivings before agreeing to play Jimmy Savile in a new West End play.

Alistair McGowan's mum fears for Savile play

The writer of a play about the Jimmy Savile abuse scandal has revealed the mother of its star, Alistair McGowan, is among its critics.

Alistair McGowan to star as Jimmy Savile in Fringe play

'People are ready' for a Jimmy Savile play, says writer Jonathan Maitland.

Campaign launched to give the late Les Dawson an OBE

Johnny Vegas is spearheading a campaign to award a posthumous OBE to Les Dawson. Supporters say it was unfair that the comedian, who died in 1993, was not honoured when the likes of Jimmy Savile were.

Jerry Sadowitz: my fight for my friend

Comic Jerry Sadowitz denounced Jimmy Savile years before he was exposed. Now, writes Brian Logan, he's asking why the death of his friend Mark Blanco has never been properly investigated.

Will it always be too soon to joke about Jimmy Savile?

In live comedy, it seems that no one feels any further need to apologise for using material about Operation Yewtree. But should they?

Jimmy Savile comedy duo banned from Norwich pub

At the Edinburgh Fringe in August, comedy duo Ellis & Rose got more than a little attention by performing Jimmy Savile: The Punch & Judy Show. They were planning a show in Norwich but the pub owners had reacted badly to having a Jimmy Savile show in their venue.

Jimmy Savile show actor beaten up in the street

Yesterday, Gareth Ellis of comedy duo Ellis & Rose told me about being attacked in the street - but not randomly.

The raucous annual stand-up bonanza in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital comes once again from the O2 in London.

When the live gig was held a couple of weeks ago, one critic described it as "Live at the Apollo on steroids". In other words, expect big, booming, arena-style stand-up from an all-star roster. Jack Whitehall, Jack Dee, Jo Brand, Noel Fielding and Jason Byrne are among the long list of comics donating gags to the cause.

Diversity open the show with a dance routine into which Alan Carr, Miranda Hart and Warwick Davis insert unexpected cameos. Lee Evans airs a routine about EasyJet. Russell Brand goes walkabout among the crowd. Rich Hall jokes about child labour ("Clothes make the man but kids make the clothes").

And unsurprisingly the recurring theme is the year's revelations about Jimmy Savile and other stars - everyone has an angle on that one.

Review: Cat Laughs Festival, Kilkenny, Part 1

The Cat Laughs Festival does feel very Ireland-specific. It is like comedy in a bubble. There were very few references to Jimmy Savile, though Karl Spain drew some gasps suggesting that Savile was now a very modern celebrity because he was famous for who he slept with.