Michael Portillo

Biography extract: how Portillo inspired B'Stard

Mark Searby, the resident film critic on BBC Radios Northampton and Suffolk, has written a new biography about Rik Mayall, concentrating on his work and compiled from more than 30 interviews with the likes of Alexei Sayle, Nigel Planer, Laurence Marks & Maurice Gran and more. In this exclusive preview, he describes the genesis of Alan B'Stard, the anti-hero of The New Statesman.

Bobby Davro on changing tastes in comedy

Comedian Bobby Davro joined Andrew Neil, Caroline Flint and Michael Portillo on This Week to talk about changing tastes after the remake of classic series Dad's Army was released.

He said the nature of comedy had changed since the shows that made him famous - but was frustrated that he was "still keen, still ambitious, still contemporary, but unfortunately they put you in a box and say you belong in the 1980s".

Video: Shappi Khorsandi on internet trolls & prejudice

On BBC1's This Week, comedian Shappi Khorsandi laughed at how internet trolls reckon she only gets on TV as she was a woman and Iranian.

She teased Andrew Neil about journalists asking her about prejudice - in a debate with Michael Portillo and Alan Johnson. She also defended Frankie Boyle who won a legal action over claims he was a racist.

Video: Stephen Mangan on emotions and giving birth

Actor Stephen Mangan, who has portrayed Tony Blair and currently plays a pregnant man on the London stage, spoke of emotions in the week when David Cameron's temper and the the "feisty form" of Conservative MP Ann Marie Morris were in the news.

Michael Portillo recalled losing his seat at Westminster - and also claimed there were "extensive similarities" between Andy Murray and Gordon Brown - as he debated political image and emotions with Andrew Neil and Alan Johnson.

The interview ends with the actor talking of his hopes for a new series of Episodes - in which he stars with Matt LeBlanc and Tamsin Greig.

Video: Disabled comedian Francesca Martinez fears cuts

Actor Francesca Martinez took a swipe as Jeremy Clarkson as she claimed 500,000 people could lose disability benefits.

The comedian, who has cerebral palsy and appeared in Extras, warned "anyone could become disabled" and said public attitudes were hardening with increased hate crime against those with disabilities.

She then debated her film with Michael Portillo who claimed some people received disability benefits who were not entitled to them.

Video: Stewart Lee on music, politics and prostests

Comedian Stewart Lee compared Glastonbury to the House of Commons as he discussed whether music was losing its political message and the power of protest with Andrew Neil, Michael Portillo and Alan Johnson.