Jonathan Ross

Jonathan Ross Show strong again

The Jonathan Ross Show's prerecorded format meant it wasn't very topical - Seal had no chance to answer rumours about divorcing Heidi Klum, for example - but this was another watchable edition of the show.

Penguins give Jonathan Ross a problem

Jonathan Ross has a p-p-problem with two penguins on his show tonight - as they refuse to leave.

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.

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.

New Year's Eve is a tricky one for TV: lots of us stay in through necessity, bloating or an aversion to contrived parties, yet nobody's ever really cracked the question of what we want to watch.

The big channels stick with Big-Ben-and-fireworks jobs. Channel 4 doesn't try to compete at midnight, firing its big light-entertainment gun earlier (9pm) with Alan Carr's New Year Specstacular. Jonathan Ross, Kirstie Allsopp, and Heston Blumenthal are among the likeable Carr's comic foils, with music from JLS and the Ting Tings.

Bespectacled funnyman Carr hosts a party-themed special, with guests including Jonathan Ross, comedian Micky Flanagan, and Strictly's Alesha Dixon, who proved herself fond of a tipple when she appeared on Carr's chat show a few weeks ago and later apologised for a string of indiscreet comments. Also popping up are Channel 4 colleagues Heston Blumenthal, Gok Wan and Kirstie Allsopp, while there's live music from JLS and The Ting Tings. We're promised themed sketches including a Royal Wedding spoof with Carr and David Walliams as the newlyweds.

Jonathan Ross 'gutted' after Tim Minchin song is cut

Jonathan Ross has said he is 'really gutted' after comedian Tim Minchin was axed from the Christmas edition of The Jonathan Ross Show.

Tim Minchin fumes over song cut

Tim Minchin has lashed out at ITV after his performance was cut from Jonathan Ross's Christmas special.

ITV cut Tim Minchin's song from Jonathan Ross Show

Watch the performance that you won't see on the chat show.

Tim Minchin's banned tune and 5 more of his songs

Scared of upsetting Christians, ITV have cut Tim Minchin's song from tomorrow's Jonathan Ross show. So here it is alongside five more crackers from his collection...