Micky Flanagan

Micky Flanagan defends panel show "closed shop" claims

Micky Flanagan says: "It's not an accident that certain comedy agencies have a lot of great comics on their books. If a producer goes to them, 'I'm producing this new panel show, can I have Sean Lock or any decent comic?' they're told, 'Yeah, you can - you know we've also got...'"

Micky Flanagan - athlete extraordinaire

Two years ago you might not have heard of him - but that's not the case now.

Graham Norton, Telegraph agony uncle and purveyor of uncouth - but very funny - humour, welcomes Britain's most successful pop star, the evergreen Sir Cliff Richard. The pair may not share a taste in comedy but I'm willing to bet Sir Cliff will be a good sport. He's promoting his Soulicious tour, which has three remaining dates. Joining him are Lord Sugar and comedian Micky Flanagan; also, X Factor judge Kelly Rowland performs her new single Down for Whatever.

Live at the Apollo performers confirmed

Jack Whitehall, Micky Flanagan and Alan Carr have been confirmed for the new series of BBC One's Live at the Apollo.

The eighth series of the Reeves and Mortimer's cult panel show draws to a close tonight, having attracted respectable viewing figures of 1.5 m. Deadpan comedian Jack Dee appears to be at a disadvantage as he is joined by actress Tamzin Outhwaite and Primal Scream bassist Gary Mounfield, while Ulrika Jonsson gets stand-up Micky Flanagan and actor Charlie Higson for her team. But as the questions are nonsensical and the games bizarre, anything can happen.

This topical panel show can always be guaranteed to provide a few belly laughs.

And unlike Have I Got News for You, it doesn't matter if you've been hiding under a rock for the past week and haven't got a clue what's been going on in the world.

The topical bit is used loosely. Instead it's more an excuse for stand-up comedians to show their wares, with Dara O Briain at the helm.

Joining show regulars Hugh Dennis, Andy Parsons and Chris Addison is my own personal favourite stand-up, Micky Flanagan, up-and-coming comic Nathan Caton and Canada's king of the one-liners Stewart Francis (if you love your comedy, you'll recognise him from an episode of Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow - he was the guy who opened with: "Don't worry, I haven't heard of you either").

Considering the show's format, which is just made for killer one-liners, tonight's episode promises to be even funnier than normal.

On the same evening that ITV1 unleashes its ratings juggernaut The X Factor, the Beeb launches this new comedy game show aimed squarely at families. It's a talent show meets guessing game, hosted by the always charming Alexander Armstrong, with fast-rising stand-up Micky Flanagan as his foil. Eccentric members of the public demonstrate their unusual talents to a panel of comedians, headed by Flanagan, who put a secret cash value on the skill, based on originality, personality and performance. The contestant must then guess the total amount bid to win the cash or they leave with nothing. It's hardly ground-breaking, bearing a distinct resemblance to 1990s ITV show You Bet!, but is still frothy fun.

Ebury buys Micky Flanagan memoir

Ebury has bought a memoir by Mock the Week and Live at the Apollo star Micky Flanagan.

Saturday night... The Marriage Ref. Last of the sizzling series. A landmark in television history. Will it come back? No.

But another rare chance to catch ubiquitous guest Sarah Millican and her dreaded Geordie wit. Which used to be quite funny... until she started appearing on every show in town.

"I can't believe you got divorced," gasped witless host Dermot O'Leary. I can. And I'm guessing Sarah's husband saw far too much of her. Like the rest of us.

Similarly over-exposed panel game favourite Micky Flanagan sighed: "I don't know why I'm here." Because Jimmy Carr and Jack Dee weren't around... and it was your turn on the rota. Same old faces... same old jokes.

As always, the ­contestants all loved each other deeply. But had some meaningless minor moan.

A dead show walking right from the start, this pointless pap was so ­stunningly dull it was shunted to a late night timeslot. Due to total lack of interest.