Rufus Hound

Rufus Hound in Euro elections NHS bid

The comedian and actor Rufus Hound is to stand in the next European elections to campaign against changes to the NHS. The former stand-up comic is running for the National Health Action Party (NHA) - formed by medical professionals to oppose health policy in England.

Opinion: Rufus Hound...MEP?

The news that Rufus Hound is planning to stand as an MEP for the pro-NHS National Health Action Party makes him the latest in an increasingly long line of comedians dipping their toes into stormy political waters.

Radio Times review

Actors Robert Lindsay and Rufus Hound appear as a duo tonight to discuss their upcoming performance in the West End version of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels - no doubt Ross will be quizzing them on how scheming they can be in real life. Stand-up comedian Seann Walsh, who is about to embark on his Lie-in-King tour, has kindly got out of bed to share some banter on the sofa as well.

It'll be interesting to see if Ross can rap along in time to Tinie Tempah, who will be performing live. Let's hope Tinie doesn't completely overshadow fresh-off-the-production-line X Factor winner Sam Bailey, who will also be taking the stage.

Rufus Hound wins Strictly Come Dancing

Rufus Hound has won Strictly Come Dancing's Christmas special.

Strictly Come Dancing special sees Rufus Hound bleeding

Rufus Hound's appearance on the festive show reportedly took a turn for the worse when he was accidentally cut open by a plastic fish.

'Asking a comedian to improvise an entire stand-up set is like asking a magician to do actual magic.' So say the creators of this fully improvised stand-up show of which this, the second episode, doesn't disappoint.

Comedy purists will love the pared-back nature of it - watching comedians in a dingy club, their fear palpable, sweating as they think on their feet. You'll gain a new admiration for comics too, as it exposes the finely-honed craft of a performer's routine. As Rufus Hound sagely comments: 'As long as you're hilarious, nothing can go wrong.' No pressure, then.

This week, American comedian Eddie Pepitone goes first, creating skits by responding to subject matter posted on a screen behind him. He doesn't fare too badly, though quick-witted Matt Kirshen, who follows him, nails it. Luckily, he's on before Robin Williams, who's such a presence and a pro that he'd captivate an audience of wild baboons. Expect to see the likes of Drew Carey and Ross Noble in upcoming shows.

This must be a series first - a diary written by someone when they were 21. A good excuse is proffered, though, for this programme's subject - Ken Livingstone - only ever kept the one diary. This occurred in 1966 when he and a friend set out to hitch across the Sahara. Oh, the optimism of youth!

When they arrived in Africa it soon became evident that civil wars and hatred of the British meant that they were going to have to take a different route. I would have been happy to listen to Ken - without interruptions from host Rufus Hound - simply reading from his diary, which is dry in wit and full of fantastic tales.

From a near-death experience when Livingstone did finally get to the desert to sharing a hotel room with an ostrich he named Horace, this is Ken as you've never encountered him before.

Rufus Hound's top ten stand-up comedians

The TV funnyman reveals his favourite comics - with videos.

Rufus Hound & Louise Mensch in Twitter firestorm

Rufus Hound and former Tory MP Louise Mensch are at the centre of a furious exchange on Twitter after he called her a four-letter name.