Victoria Wood (I)

Victoria Wood directs this loosely autobiographical story about a Lancashire girl whose dismal Christmas is transformed upon visiting a merry neighbour. Hers is the first of a dozen bite-sized films written by and starring the cream of British comedy - Stephen Fry, Bill Bailey, Jo Brand - shown in double bills. Next up tonight is Chris O'Dowd's impish tale about the time he ambushed that white-bearded, milk- and mince pie-pinching trickster in red. Nine-year-old Chris is as lippy a rapscallion as you might expect, while O'Dowd takes the role of disgruntled supermarket Santa and Sharon Horgan is terrific as harassed Mum.

The cream of the British comedy crop come together for this series of brand new comedy shorts for Sky1 HD. Following a season of dramatic 10 Minute Tales last Christmas, this December it's Comedy's turn to shine in an anthology of short films, written by and featuring 12 of the nation's biggest and most loved comic stars. With the likes of Stephen Fry, Catherine Tate, Julia Davis and Bill Bailey flexing their creative muscles they're the perfect bite-sized morsel of entertainment for you and your family this Christmas. Tonight it's the turn of Victoria Wood and Chris O'Dowd who get the season underway.

A season of autobiographical comic shorts, where top names in British comedy write, narrate, star and sometimes direct dramatisations of their pasts. It opens with Victoria Wood's film about Eunice, an eight-year-old who is spending a rather gloomy Christmas with her dad in 1961. A visit to Mrs Whitefield's home changes things, as Eunice realises that precious memories can never be forgotten. Chris O'Dowd's story relates his childhood fear and distrust of Santa Claus and his plan to sabotage the big guy in the red suit's visit. It's gentle, nostalgic comedy that aims to leave you with a suitably glowing, festive feeling.

A nightly season of short autobiographical films featuring some of Britain's best comic talent opens tonight with stories by Victoria Wood and Chris O'Dowd. Dawn French, Stephen Fry, Bill Bailey, Kathy Burke, Jo Brand and Catherine Tate are among those writing, narrating and starring in these seasonal dramatisations of their lives, often with stories recalled from their childhood. It's a bit hit-and-miss. Wood's is on first, though hers is the only story not to feature a younger version of herself. The IT Crowd's O'Dowd follows with an amusing story of why as a boy he thought Santa was a "big weirdo".

Victoria Wood: Why Eric & Ernie STILL bring me sunshine

Victoria Wood first thought ten years ago of ­telling the story of Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise before they were famous.

Victoria Wood to host Sky1 comedy night

Victoria Wood is to host a night of comedy from performers including Jo Brand at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, with the event being broadcast on Sky1.

Victoria Wood: 'I feel at the BBC I'm not trusted'

The comedian and writer on how difficult it is to work for the BBC, her insecurity - and her troubled relationship with food.

Victoria Wood to star in Morecambe and Wise film

Comedians Victoria Wood and Vic Reeves have signed up to star in a feature-length film about the comic duo Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise.

Katherine Jakeways is the new Victoria Wood. And that's official. Her character comedy is so acutely observed and so sharp that it's in danger of causing permanent injury. Sheila Hancock narrates this story of life in a small Northamptonshire town that's home to the funniest of locals. Miss this at your peril.

Victoria Wood set for Morecambe and Wise drama

Comedian and actress Victoria Wood is to star in a TV drama about the early years of Morecambe and Wise, playing Eric Morecambe's mother.