John Bishop (II)

Now in their 21st year, the British Comedy Awards have long served as a bellwether for the state of British comedy, from the quirky satire of the early 1990s, through the energetic sketch shows of the mid- to late-90s, to the recent success of family-friendly stand-up comics like Peter Kay, Michael McIntyre and John Bishop. Thanks to a sharp host, a ready supply of funny clips and a suitably witty audience, they've also been one of the few live awards ceremonies actually worth watching.

Tonight's event is hosted live by Jonathan Ross. Leading the nominees is Miranda Hart, who is up for four awards, while Harry Hill gets three nods. Hart, last year's Queen of Comedy winner, is up for the award again, with David Mitchell, Telegraph agony uncle Graham Norton, Jack Whitehall, Jo Brand and Sarah Millican also in the running. Tamsin Greig and Tom Rosenthal are nominated for best TV comedy actress and best comedy breakthrough artist respectively for their roles in Friday Night Dinner, while Hugh Dennis and Claire Skinner have been singled out for their contribution to Outnumbered. Downton Abbey's Hugh Bonneville receives a nomination for his role in the Olympic comedy Twenty Twelve.

The Impressions Show saw Debra Stephenson miss two open goals with Hilary Devey and Tulisa. But with her physique, her Mary Portas, Claudia Winkleman and Fiona Bruce were exactly like the real thing - only foxier.

Jon Culshaw on the other hand was such a car crash his impersonations were more fascinating. His 'Bruce Forsyth' was bang on - if it had been Alex Ferguson, while his 'John Bishop', was the spit of Laurence Llewelyn Bowen. Final score? Debra Stephenson 5 - Jon Culshaw 0.

Nobody adds more value to celebrity chat than Graham Norton. He creates a kind of cocktail-party feel, so his guests end up riffing off each other in unlikely ways. Anyone who saw his show where actor James McAvoy ended up in a three-way mind-reading contest with Liza Minnelli and Jack Dee will know what I mean.

McAvoy is back tonight: he tends to play sad roles (the wronged hero in Atonement, the young Charles Xavier in X-Men: First Class), but can be quick-witted on a TV sofa. He'll need to be to compete with fellow guest John Bishop. Arctic Monkeys provide the music.

John Bishop & Jamie Redknapp go diving with Tom Daley

He may be less than half their age but Tom Daley played the role of teacher when he passed on some of his expert diving knowledge to footballer Jamie Redknapp and comedian John Bishop.

Graham Norton may be heaving a sigh of relief that Jonathan Ross's ITV chat show finished on Saturday, alleviating competition for guests. Tonight the Telegraph agony uncle's line-up features a strong British contingent: actress Joanna Lumley, whose Greek Odyssey is currently on ITV1, Scottish actor James McAvoy (Atonement), who voices the forthcoming animated movie Arthur Christmas; professional Scouser John Bishop, who brings the jokes; and music from Sheffield combo Arctic Monkeys.

A big guest straight off the bat for series four: Andy Murray, taking a break from tantalising losses in Grand Slam semis. In the last series, Tim Henman fired serves at the show's regulars. How can Murray top that? By picking up a microphone to reveal his talent for rapping, backed by regular host James Corden.

The show's also held onto star players John Bishop and Andrew Flintoff, along with Jamie Redknapp and Georgie Thompson. Other guests are comic Jason Manford, and Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier.

It's interesting the way the credits proudly announce it is "written and presented by John Bishop". But just as you're admiring the wealth of comic material Bishop has written, you notice the six names listed under "programme associates", all of whom are, er, comedy writers. Cheeky.

Still, whatever their contribution, it's a reliably funny show. The theme this week is our love/hate relationship with animals and that means some fresh light on the ancient dogs versus cats debate and mildly predictable routines from Bishop on how wasps are annoying and hamsters pointless.

Bishop's delivery is always good, but it's the interview snippets that provide the best bits. And they're so lovingly filmed: look out for the swordfight going on in the background of one interview and stick around to the end to catch a chihuahua in a West Ham shirt.

John Bishop continues to pull in punters

Comedian John Bishop lured solid audiences for BBC One and BBC Three last night, according to the latest overnight data.

Here's an exclusive: cricketer Andrew Flintoff used to collect soaps when he was a youngster. "It doesn't really fit with my image, does it... my soap addiction?" he says, looking a little shame-faced at his admission. John Bishop's topic this week (we've already had music and fashion and food) is hobbies and leisure time, which means some seaside-pier-style routines from him on the perils of buying underwear for your wife and childhood memories of the fun you could have with a lolly stick. But it's the filmed contributions that made me laugh most. You've got to love WI member Jackie Huck with her shoebox collection of erasers, one of which, she says excitedly, smells like a custard cream.