Robbie Coltrane

After his wonderfully shocking introduction last week, lurching into the final shot with a shiv, Robbie Coltrane returns to hold Jack Dee's Rick Spleen hostage - he even gets co-headline billing in the opening titles. It's good to see him back on the box; he's always a huge presence on the small screen, and not just because of his immense girth. They're trapped together in the prison library and all that he wants from Spleen is some honest conversation, so having an inveterate liar as a hostage may prove problematic.

Tonight's slice of this winningly acerbic sitcom is a two-hander. After the comedy workshop Rick (Jack Dee) holds at Belford Prison, Donald (Robbie Coltrane), a jovial, knife-wielding prisoner, takes him hostage. An increasingly nervy Rick is forced to bond with Donald over pizza, red wine and a dissection of Rick's lacklustre career. "If you were any good, you'd have made it by now," scoffs Donald. It's a treat to see these two seasoned performers play off each other with such aplomb.

A quick chat with Robbie Coltrane

Robbie Coltrane makes a rare TV appearance in Jack Dee's acerbic BBC2 sitcom, Lead Balloon...

Obituary: Tam White

Blues singer who gave voice to Robbie Coltrane in 'Tutti Frutti'.

ITV1 comedy Benidorm extended to hour-long shows

ITV1 comedy Benidorm will return in a one-hour format as part of the channel's autumn season, which will also include a Robbie Coltrane drama and a documentary series featuring Joanna Lumley.