Tom Rosenthal (I)

Now in their 21st year, the British Comedy Awards have long served as a bellwether for the state of British comedy, from the quirky satire of the early 1990s, through the energetic sketch shows of the mid- to late-90s, to the recent success of family-friendly stand-up comics like Peter Kay, Michael McIntyre and John Bishop. Thanks to a sharp host, a ready supply of funny clips and a suitably witty audience, they've also been one of the few live awards ceremonies actually worth watching.

Tonight's event is hosted live by Jonathan Ross. Leading the nominees is Miranda Hart, who is up for four awards, while Harry Hill gets three nods. Hart, last year's Queen of Comedy winner, is up for the award again, with David Mitchell, Telegraph agony uncle Graham Norton, Jack Whitehall, Jo Brand and Sarah Millican also in the running. Tamsin Greig and Tom Rosenthal are nominated for best TV comedy actress and best comedy breakthrough artist respectively for their roles in Friday Night Dinner, while Hugh Dennis and Claire Skinner have been singled out for their contribution to Outnumbered. Downton Abbey's Hugh Bonneville receives a nomination for his role in the Olympic comedy Twenty Twelve.

My Edinburgh: Tom Rosenthal, comedian

Edinburgh can be a hard and wet place.

Is the political joke on its way back to power?

Topical material is creeping back on the agenda. Even Tom Rosenthal is getting political - in a gentle sort of way.

This week's new comedy: Edinburgh special

Simon Munnery, Hannibal Montanabal and Tom Rosenthal

I'm quite sort of talented

How is Tom Rosenthal planning to make punters laugh? With stories about his brilliance at egg and spoons races.

Fringe 2011 comedy: 5 shows about parents

Featuring Scott Capurro, Tom Rosenthal, Catie Wilkins, Des Bishop and Jack Whitehall.

A vintage year: an interview with Tom Rosenthal

Emma McAlpine talks to Tom Rosenthal about Friday Night Dinner, his first stage role and upcoming Fringe debut.

Tom Rosenthal interview

Tom Rosenthal talks about his latest stage role in Chicken Soup With Barley and how he enjoys 'taking the p***' out of his Dad for his stand-up routine.

Fringe preview: Naz Osmanoglu and Tom Rosenthal

Award-winning stand-up Naz Osmanoglu and Friday Night Dinner star Tom Rosenthal are presenting their first Edinburgh preview shows tonight at the Hen and Chickens theatre in Highbury.

Apart from the smatterings of mildly bad language, this Jewish take on My Family remains a surprisingly cosy sitcom for a Friday night on Channel 4.

You can't fault the cast - which includes Simon Bird and Tom Rosenthal as bickering brothers who revert to toddlerhood every time they step through the front door into the family home.

The dramas are small ones and this week a family squabble manages to break out over the colour of mum Jackie's new curtains. The bright spots in all this are Paul Ritter as the bare-chested shirt-phobic dad and Mark Heap as the oddball neighbour Jim.

Those three little words: "And Mark Heap" at the start of any sitcom are like a British Standards kitemark guaranteeing that there'll be nuggets of bizarre brilliance tucked away inside - and tonight's scene involving Jim's trip to the pub with his lager-loving dog is very odd indeed.