Stephen Fry

Having enjoyed what Stephen Fry described as a "full life", Mel Smith died in July aged just 60. At this time of year, it's probably his Rockin' around the Christmas Tree duet that comes to mind first, but the clowning about was part of a rich career that shaped British comedy but also took in straight acting and directing, TV production and a modicum of high living.

Rowan Atkinson remembers a "wonderful sort of peace" in performing alongside him, and John Lloyd credits Smith with developing the naturalistic style that characterises modern alternative comedy. Lloyd and Atkinson are joined by Richard Curtis and, of course, his sketch partner Griff Rhys Jones to commemorate Mel Smith's contribution to both comedy and life in general. Home video and lots of classic sketches (which really do stand the test of time) tell the story of a beloved comic personality.

Quizmaster Stephen Fry, resplendent in a deep red, Noël Coward-ish dressing gown, hosts a sparkly QI Christmas special with guests, Mrs Brown's alter ego Brendan O'Carroll, Phill Jupitus, Jo Brand and Alan Davies. It's the Feast of Stephen, of course, and Fry introduces a young lady who's invented what she describes as an "unknitting machine" which is operated behind the scenes in the studio by her brother, much to everyone's ribald delight.

Fry, a man who loves gadgets, is thrilled as the machine unravels Alan Davies's festive scarf. Meanwhile, the guests wonder what presents we can expect from the Queen, and why Father Christmas is no longer on a Rich List.

Stephen Fry and Jennifer Saunders at 2014 Hay Festival

Entertainment heavyweights Dame Judi Dench, Stephen Fry and Jennifer Saunders are among the headline acts for the 2014 Hay Festival in Powys.

Radio Times review

The interestingness goes into overdrive this week. Yes, it's funny too, but there are historical titbits here that will mildly blow your mind, as Stephen Fry dissertates on a kitchen-y theme. We learn about the 18th-century pets bred to be "turnspit dogs" during the week and footwarmers in church on Sunday. We learn about why kleftiko is so called. And we learn something about the phenomenon of the overbite that may be the single most interesting dentistry fact ever shared on TV.

Adding comedic spin to this obscure knowledge are Victoria Wood, Richard Osman and Jason Manford. Osman's speed of wit is as devastating as ever, and listen out for a great Barocca gag and some lovely teasing about turtles.

QI star Stephen Fry voted top holiday companion

Broadcaster Stephen Fry has been named the nation's ideal holiday companion.

Stephen Fry to voice new natural history documentary

Stephen Fry will be the voice behind BBC One's Hidden Kingdoms, which highlights the dangers faced by chipmunks, dung beetles and the tree shrew.

Stephen Fry returns to host the 2014 BAFTA film awards

Stephen Fry will again host the EE British Academy Film Awards on 16 February 2014 at the Royal Opera House in London's Covent Garden.

For an episode entitled Keeps, Stephen Fry introduces a one-off round called "Keep Still or Scarper", turning on whether it's safer to run away or freeze when confronted with certain wild animals. His demonstration of how to proceed if you bump into a pack of wolves (roaring like an angry Victorian gentleman, basically) makes you long to see the confrontation for real.

Elsewhere, there are insights into whether ants can hold their drink, the smile of a bowhead whale and a dispute between Fry and Bill Bailey about Welsh accents. Also adding to the fun - Sarah Millican and Jason Manford.

In a series famous for facts, here's a killer one: of the things QI presented as true in its first series, 60 per cent are now thought untrue. Stephen Fry announces this near the start of a landmark (and very funny) edition where he explains "the half-life of facts" - scientists revising knowledge about how many moons the Earth has, for instance - and makes recompense for all the points that should have been awarded over the years for answers that have proved to be right, as a result of which Alan Davies is retrospectively awarded... 737 points.

Davies is on good comedy form, pretending to pluck the legs off a millipede or describing his stealthy mother-in-law. We also learn how the Romans avoided forgetting names and how 19th-century Germans realised birds fly south for the winter - a flabbergasting story.

Stephen Fry injured after falling out of bed

The QI host posted news of his mishap on Twitter saying he had been left with "noble scars on forehead & bridge of nose".