Judi Dench

Judi Dench on her time with Geoffrey Palmer

The legendary actress says she couldn't have made the classic sitcom As Time Goes By with anyone else.

Madden's twinkly comedy takes an A-list of Brit thesps - Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Bill Nighy and all - and plonks them in a crumbling hotel in Rajasthan, seeking a cheaper retirement. The contrived antics don't quite do the illustrious cast justice, but it charmed its way to a sequel.

If only someone had laughed at Hitler, says the Big Yin. Laughter is so powerful that if just one person had snorted while Adolf was his ranting and raving, the course of history might have changed.

Despite his age and illness, Billy Connolly is still laughing. This show celebrates the comedian by offering us a big messy mix of interviews, clips from his stand-up and chat show appearances, and favourite memories of fans from all over the world, from East Kilbride to Qatar.

We hear from celebrity fans such as Eric Idle, Judi Dench, Andy Murray, Elton John and Peter Kay, but while these jolly messages are nice, the best moments come when it's just Connolly.

He is also interviewed, and he recalls how it was impossible to walk down the street in Glasgow without everyone saying hello ... and his wee girl marvelling at how daddy knew everybody!

"I think a little bit of humour does the world a lot of good," says Billy Connolly in this hour-long tribute to his 50 years in comedy. Quite right too, and ITV has found many people who would suggest that a little bit of Billy does them a lot of good. Alongside a new interview, in which the Big Yin reminisces about his career, are video diary extracts from fans all over the world, from Lesley in Glasgow and Stewart in Bognor Regis, to Judi Dench, Eric Idle and David Tennant (or that should be: Jdui, Surrey; Eric, Los Angeles; David, London).

This may be the end of the current series of Ullman's refreshingly cliche-free sketch comedy, but lessons refuse to be learned for the varied personas she inhabits. Merseyside money-magnet Pam Garrity continues to singlehandedly fuel George Osborne's northern powerhouse, Dame Judi Dench wreaks smartphone-based havoc on a double-decker, while the unfortunately named Isis Model Agency continues to raise alarm among potential catwalk strutters. A second series has already been commissioned.

Third helping of repatriated ribaldry from Ullman's new series, and the recurring characters continue to bed in. Tonight's treats include Dame Maggie Smith's new green screen-ready showreel, events unfolding inside the HQ of a corporation stamping twee slogans on to premium earthenware, Dame Judi Dench's ongoing crime spree, and a raucous rock opera documenting Rebekah Brooks's return to the Chipping Norton set. Ullman's impressive ability to inhabit contrasting personas again outshines a patchy script.

The lovable collection of silvery expats returns for an inevitable sequel. Dev Patel's Sonny is expanding his Jaipur hotel business, with the help of Maggie Smith's Muriel; foxy old Richard Gere may be able to help them with that. Meanwhile, Judi Dench and Bill Nighy dither around romance, while Celia Imrie's Madge has her choice of men. Twinkly charm is guaranteed, but that's enough now.

Radio Times review

After two cracking episodes, it's time to see if Tracey Ullman has any other comic gems in her locker apart from her fabulous turns as Angela Merkel and theatrical Dames Maggie Smith and Judi Dench. The doofus American couple who love all things English is easily her weakest sketch of the series so far.

Fortunately, the show is rescued by a triumphant song-and-dance routine in which she plays former Sun editor Rebekah Brooks. If the red-haired Murdoch executive isn't popular with some of the other members of the Chipping Norton set, here she's dealt a pretty rough time - proving that our Trace isn't afraid of tweaking some powerful noses.