Victoria Wood (I)

Golden oldies: Britain's best vintage comedy

The best old sitcoms, stand up and stars of the silver screen are just what the nation needs to get us through these long housebound days - not everything on Netflix is notable, and Amazon Prime is hit and miss. So why not do yourself a favour, and when next looking for something to bring a smile to your face, take a trip back in time to see some of Britain's best comedy.

Comedy inspiration was the theme of The Essay: Top of the Bill (Radio 3, Monday to Friday) all last week, as five comedians and writers talked about the defining moment in their lives that made them turn to comedy. The best episode was Susan Calman's.

She recalled the life-changing moment she saw An Audience with Victoria Wood as a young girl: "I don't think a more perfect piece of comedy has ever been produced," Calman said, with awe and joy streaming through her voice as she remembered Wood's famously frisky Ballad of Barry and Freda (Let's Do It). It was delicious to revisit Wood's genius, and the whole series was a warming, invigorating study of laughter and influence. Letting comedians be serious, and to talk at length about their personal heroes, may have been the real risk this week, but it was one worth taking.

Comics in Oxford Dictionary Of National Biography

Caroline Aherne, Victoria Wood and Ronnie Corbett and have been added to a prestigious and definitive list of the greatest ever Britons.

My favourite comedian by Esther Manito

I grew up loving Victoria Wood, and always believed she was the ultimate goddess of comedy. Then I came across Gina Yashere.

Victoria Wood statue unveiled in memory of comedian

The likeness sits across from the library where she stole books as a child because she was too shy to ask about membership.

Victoria Wood statue unveiling in Bury tomorrow

A life-size bronze statue of Prestwich-born comedy icon Victoria Wood is to be unveiled in Bury town centre tomorrow.

My comedy hero: Angela Barnes

Winner of the 2011 BBC New Comedy Award and Edinburgh Fringe favourite chooses her comic idols.

Fans claim Victoria Wood statue doesn't look like her

Comic's baffled fans say the planned statue looks nothing like her.