Simon Cowell

Simon Cowell mocks Russell Brand revolution

Simon Cowell has taunted Russell Brand's calls for a political revolution, pointing out that the comedian should hand back his riches if he really believes in changing the world.

This comedy drama about university housemates starring comedian Jack Whitehall is back for a third series, and this time they are no longer naïve freshers.

As the gang return to Manchester Medlock as second years, JP (Whitehall) is now their landlord, having bought the house.

They are joined by new girl Candice, who was home-schooled for the first year and doesn't know who Simon Cowell is.

But the ridiculous schemes continue as Howard and JP try to coax female freshers to join their Dry Slope Skiing Society, and there's trouble when Vod's hunky Mexican summer fling turns up in town.

Sam Bain, who co-writes the comedy with Jesse Armstrong, says of the partnership, "There is some shouting - although usually fun shouting rather than aggressive shouting!"

Nigel Harman interview

Former EastEnder Nigel Harman, 40, stars in Mount Pleasant and Downton Abbey. He will also play Simon Cowell in The X Factor musical - but he's keeping shtum.

Camp frolics on the couch are guaranteed as our host is joined by David Walliams for a triple-entendre gossip about sitcoms, Simon Cowell and whatever else crops up amid a bout of giddy tomfoolery. Keeping it a touch more real, Jamie Foxx and Channing Tatum will try to keep Carr focused on their new movie, White House Down, while music comes from Mutya Keisha Siobhan, once the original Sugababes. Who knows why their names aren't alphabetical - it's bound to cause trouble...

Harry Hill's X Factor musical mocking Simon Cowell

Cowell is set to be the butt of many jokes − from lovechilds to high trouser waistlines - but he is taking them in good spirit.

Nigel Harman cast in Harry Hill's X Factor musical

Nigel Harman has been cast as a character based on Simon Cowell in the upcoming X Factor musical written by Harry Hill.

From Please Sir! to Jack Whitehall's Bad Education, schools are a magnet for the sitcom gang.

The latest to answer the ringing of the bell is David Walliams, taking half-term break from teasing Simon Cowell to play lovestruck chemistry teacher Keith Church.

The object of the bumbling Keith's affections is la belle Miss Postern (Catherine Tate), the flame-haired new French teacher who doesn't actually know much French.

With Philip Glenister as a randy PE teacher, Frances de la Tour as a mean headteacher, Joanna Scanlan as a lesbian drama teacher and a scandalously under-used Daniel Rigby, the cast is top-notch - even if the jokes are a little old school.

Rachel Parris issues a warning to Simon Cowell

LiF blogger Rachel Parris has waited long enough - it's time to enter a TV talent show ...

Ricky Gervais reviving The Office's David Brent, Miranda Hart giving Call The Midwife a baby comedy makeover, Jessie J shaving her head and Peter Kay in physical challenge and pop promo mode promise to be among the highlights as Comic Relief bigs up its 25th birthday. So if clamping a red nose on your hooter doesn't tickle your fancy, just settle back and raise a glass and a chortle as a raft of hosts, including Rob Brydon, Jack Whitehall and Russell Brand, tackle such dubious tasks as introducing Simon Cowell's wedding video. Someone's having a laugh with that one, surely.

I managed to get an exclusive sneak preview of what Jessie J might look like once she's had her head shaved tonight. It's not great, to be honest.

What I did is, I put Jessie's photo into the hugely amusing Bald Booth app on my iPhone, which magically shows you what anyone will look like as a slaphead. And a few seconds later - hey presto! - there she was, smooth as a pickled egg.

Well, almost. The snag is, this ingenious app doesn't actually erase the hair on either side of a person's head, just on top, so Jessie ends up looking more like my Uncle Norman.

I can't imagine that's the look she'll be hoping for tonight. Having said that, you don't catch my Uncle Norman complaining.

As for the other highlights of tonight's marathon, they include Ricky Gervais returning as David Brent, Jack Whitehall going head-to-head with Micky Flanagan in a special MasterChef, Simon Cowell getting married, sort of, and One Direction treating us to their offcial Comic Relief single, Pledge Fifty Quid And You're Allowed To Give Each Of Us A Good Slap. To donate, call 03457 910910.