William Hague

The Last Leg: Re-United Kingdom review

The message running through the evening was that, following the example of Jo Cox, we should seek to set aside our differences and remember what we have in common.

Preview - The Last Leg: Re-United Kingdom

Inspired by the courageous MP, Jo Cox, tonight's extended episode of The Last Leg, is dedicated to all her hard work and beliefs.

Radio Times review

When an impressionist has such a distinct face, sketches can fall flat on television, no matter how uncanny the voice. The same could be said of Jon Culshaw and Debra Stephenson, so a return to radio should bode well.

I have to say, however, it's a mixed bag. The John Craven skit was by far the funniest, where he's challenged to sex up Countryfile à la cult US show Breaking Bad. "Have you ever cooked crystal meth?" asks a terribly posh female TV exec. Ironically, the impersonation of Craven is probably the least accomplished in the programme.

Not so the ones of Alan Bennett, Jools Holland and William Hague, whose vocal quirks are caught to a T, though the scripts could have been tighter. In all, the show leaves a satisfactory, if not great, impression.

The Secret World (Radio 4, Tuesdays) provides none of them. Here's a comedy show that, through the employment of mimics, invites us to imagine what happens in the private lives of famous people. Sean Connery has a baking competition with James Gandolfini of The Sopranos, William Hague tries to entertain Angela Merkel in the absence of Prime Minister Cameron, Nick Clegg successively telephones Sandi Toksvig, Miranda Hart and Jo Brand, trying (always in vain) to get them to come to a party. It sounds stale, as if every situation has been chosen to fit the voices available rather than for any intrinsic wit.

Video: Jack Dee - Maypole dancing with Boyle and Hague?

Jack Dee joined BBC Breakfast today to help launch the 2011 Comic Relief campaign: Do Something Funny for Money.

The comedian explains why his idea of maypole dancing with William Hague and Frankie Boyle was turned down!

Comic Relief's Red Nose Day is on the 18 March 2011.