Kerry Godliman

The pilot episode of Ricky Gervais's comedy set in a retirement home provoked a firestorm. The series that followed proved to be Marmite, so it's a surprise to find it back for a second outing. Critics protest that it mocks people with learning difficulties because Derek, the careworker of the title, shuffles around with his lower jaw stuck out and asks childlike questions. Naturally, Gervais - who also writes and directs - denied any such thing, arguing Derek can hold his own against Baldrick, Father Dougal and Mr Bean.

Like The Office, Derek is a mockumentary. The difference this time round is it's not obvious at whom we're supposed to be laughing. The result can be poignant, especially the scenes with Kerry Godliman, who is magnificently understated as put-upon manager Hannah - sometimes almost unbearably uncomfortable.

Tonight Derek's father moves in and is soon batting his eyelashes at the female residents, to his son's horror. Meanwhile, new member of staff Geoff bickers with the caretaker (Gervais's pal Karl Pilkington in ludicrous wig and gigantic NHS specs).

Kerry Godliman & Holli Dempsey interviews

Here's what Kerry Godliman and Holli Dempsey had to say about becoming a 'double act', working with Ricky and the public reaction to their characters...

Kerry Godliman review - 'A controlled comedy crack-up'

She may not be the most experimental comic but Godliman tackles technology and modern life with a righteous ire.

Kerry Godliman review

She may not be the most experimental comic but Kerry Godliman tackles technology and modern life with a righteous ire.

Kerry Godliman's favourite TV

The Derek star and stand-up on her television treats and terrors.

This week's new live comedy

Previews of Kerry Godliman, Al Lubel and Mat Ewins.

Kerry Godliman interview

A solo stand-up tour has been a long time coming for Kerry Godliman.

What Makes The Laughmakers Laugh?

Apart from 'are you funny when you are not in stage?', 'do you ever switch off?' and 'do you get lots of groupies?', the question stand-ups often get asked is 'what makes you laugh?'. Simon Evans, Kerry Godliman and Jim Smallman respond.

Radio Times review

The panel show that's a cross between QI and The Moral Maze returns with former Sunday Express political editor Julia Hartley-Brewer proving that ethical absolutes are hard to pin down when she is asked whether she would sever investment ties with a company caught in nefarious deeds. This prompts host Sue Perkins to offer the memorable threat. "I'm gonna hashtag the cack out of you!"

The delight of the show is that everyone is given space to expand their ideas and come up with recurring motifs, which gives former chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association Clark Carlisle the opportunity to prove that not only should he hold the title of the most intelligent footballer but also that of the funniest. It's something quite gross to do with his feeding his cats.

John-Luke Roberts gets to live out his dream pretending to be a gay man in public, while anyone who's not seen the films When Harry Met Sally, Bambi, Dumbo, Se7en, Sixth Sense and Titanic should steer clear of Kerry Godliman's spolier section.

But I can reveal that this show ends with a moral quandary that stumps all the panel. It involves Miley Cyrus and Bono. Enough said.

Kerry Godliman interview

Cast your mind back to 2003 and the Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year competition. "Wow. Was that 10 years ago? I remember entering a lot of competitions that year," laughs Kerry Godliman. "They all slightly blur together."