John Bishop (II)

John Bishop joins triathlon team for Sport Relief

John Bishop is facing the most gruelling challenge of his life. He aims to cycle, row and run from the Eiffel Tower to Trafalgar Square.

Video: John Bishop set for Paris to London challenge

John Bishop is training for a five day triathlon from Paris to London to raise money for Sport Relief.

Jonathan Ross returned tonight with another roster of famous faces gracing his slightly nauseating ITV set and actually, it was good to have him back.

Sure, many viewers have concluded in his BBC absence that Graham Norton is actually the far funnier, warmer and less self-indulgent chat show host, but Ross is still a competent presenter within the format.

Besides which, he can still pull in some big names, as he proved on tonight's show.
First up was Professor Brian Cox, who charmed Ross and the audience alike with his scientific banter and use of something called a Van Der Graaf generator (best not to ask) to help give the eponymous host some extra oomph in his hair.

Slightly less charming - but as funny as ever - was comedian John Bishop, who regaled us with anecdotes from his involvement in Sport Relief, leading seamlessly on to the three young athletes who were next to stir things up on Ross' sofa.

It's too early in the year for us to have Olympic fatigue already - although we're close - so the presence of swimmer Francesca Halsall, heptathlete Louise Hazel and Taekwondo champion Jade Jones was welcome as the trio talked through their hopes to rake in the gold for Britain this summer and challenged Ross and his guests to some physical activity in the studio.

And to top it all off, rising US songstress Lana Del Ray appeared on the show and mesmerised everyone with That Voice and Those Lips.

As series launches go, this was a good'un.

The last time Ross shared a stage with Brian Cox it was during the latter's Night with the Stars show, in which he made Ross do elaborate maths on a blackboard in front of a celebrity audience at the Royal Institution of Great Britain. Ross wailed it was "the worst thing that has happened to me as an adult", so he may look to have his revenge on Cox now.

Also on the guest list is Liverpool comic John Bishop and there's music from Lana Del Rey, the retro-glamour-puss whose debut Video Games was a sensation before it was released. Expect her to smoulder.

It's been business as usual for Jonathan Ross since he hopped channels last year - his mildly provocative patter and cheery sycophancy remained firmly intact. But the calibre of guests on his ITV shows has varied greatly, and tonight's new series opener has a rather lacklustre line-up. Comedian John Bishop and BBC science presenter Brian Cox pop up, but hotly tipped singer, the glamorous Lana Del Rey, provides the real interest.

John Bishop has a way about him. He is the master of turning the overcooked sprouts of observational gags into the bubble and squeak of watchable comedy. Even when his material is tired, like a routine about Nativity plays, he sweeps us along in its silliness. As usual, the contributions from celebs and members of the public are the best bits.

The last two years have been undoubtedly kind to family-friendly comedians like Michael McIntyre and John Bishop, whose inoffensive humour rose to prominence in the wake of the "Sachsgate" scandal. Tonight, Bishop continues to keep a firm grip on the reins with a festive special of his BBC One sketch and stand-up show, inviting a Manchester theatre audience to join him in jovial discussion of Christmas in Britain.

John Bishop has his feet firmly on the ground

"Some people think I'll be spending Christmas day with James Corden and Jamie Redknapp, round their house ­playing the Wii," jokes comedian John Bishop.

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.

Sheridan Smith, Jane Horrocks, John Bishop and Johnny Vegas are among the stars appearing in a week-long series of short autobiographical comedies. The season opens with Barbara Windsor, who recalls an embarrassing teenage encounter with a wardrobe mistress and a subsequent trip to buy her first bra. Also tonight, Jack Whitehall's story tells of a flamboyant 10 year-old who liked to dress up.