John Thomson

Excitable comedy pilot that premiered on iPlayer earlier this year, written by stand-up Dane Baptiste. He plays "Dane", a listless wage-slave pushing 30 but still living at home with his parents and belligerent twin sister. The idea of dreams crushed by soulless office life isn't exactly groundbreaking, but Baptiste's fourth-wall-breaking patter is enlivened by hyperkinetic editing, animated asides, fantasy cutaways and even some Sherlock-style onscreen text. John Thomson and the great Don Warrington round out the cast.

Cold Feet could be back on our screens following talks

ITV bosses are understood to be in negotiations to secure the core cast, including Hermione Morris, John Thomson and James Nesbitt.

John Thomson & wife Samantha to divorce after 10 years

Sad news from showbiz couple John and Sam Thomson, who have confirmed they are to divorce after 10 years of marriage.

John Thomson: Leicester Comedy Festival review

Review of John Thomson, Andrew O'Neill, Mick Ferry and Darrell Martin.

Radio Times review

It's impossible to predict how well any new sitcom will do from just one listen. I still wince when I recall my damning judgement on Little Britain after its first airing. We have to get to know the characters before we can empathise with them and, indeed, make a commitment to follow their fates.

So it is with joy in my heart that I announce I will be staying with Cleaning Up. Set in a Manchester office, it's an all-female team of cleaners, headed up by Julie (Julie Hesmondhalgh) and Dave, the security guard (John Thompson), who draw us so entirely into their world. And then their apple cart is upset when the unheard of happens: a male cleaner joins them. Nobby, played by Paul Barber, would rather be signing on than spraying bleach -- and even more so when he realises his new boss Julie is his ex-fiancée.

I think this is a grower -- but then my track record (see Little Britain) is not that great!

Martin's got a new job and his 40th birthday is approaching. New girlfriend Harriet starts to rub Jean up the wrong way with the preparations, and it feels like someone is a bit jealous. Particularly as Harriet has set Martin up a meeting with a new agent, too. Soon he's locking horns with the leathery Nigel Lord (a marvellous cameo from John Thomson) the agency's other mimic who's keen to size Martin up. Meanwhile, Neil starts seeing a psychoanalyst about his paranoia.

It may occupy the downbeat end of the spectrum, but when The Mimic flies it really soars and this is a particularly lovely episode.

Inspired by new girlfriend Harriet to push himself out of his rut, under-achieving impressionist Martin Hurdle (Terry Mynott) signs up with a new agent.

Turns out this guy already has another impressionist on his books which results in a mimic-off between Martin and his competition (guest star John Thomson).

As for that new girlfriend, Martin's mate Jean (Jo Hartley) can't hide her jealousy at Harriet muscling in on her best friend, even if she was the one who set them up in the first place.

And Jean's ex-boyfriend Neil (Neil Maskell) is trying to get his life in order by seeing a psychotherapist.

Her prescribed treatment delivers pure comedy gold.

Review: Jonny & The Baptists' Stop UKIP Tour, Newcastle

It's OK to be right-wing, so long as you're not mad, is the message which Jonny and The Baptists leave us with.