Backchat

For the debut of his brand new chatshow, Jack Whitehall's got the two hardest men on British TV sharing a sofa: Jeremy Paxman and Danny Dyer.

Guests aside, this new series is all about another double act - the one between Jack and his 73-year-old father, Michael, a former showbiz agent.

You might have seen them paired up on the Million Pound Drop, but that didn't really give you much idea of Whitehall senior's dry sense of humour and poker-faced delivery.

They've previously done a show together at the Edinburgh Fringe, and they've just published a book called Him And Me - a joint memoir in which they write a chapter each.

In the chat show role of second banana, Michael acts as saboteur, even ganging up with Paxman to point out Jack's failings as an interviewer, as a student and as a son, generally.

"It's literally like having two of my dads here," wails Jack at one point.

Danny Dyer's colourful language could be the reason why this is now being screened half an hour later than originally scheduled.

There's no shortage of chatshows on TV right now, but this is different enough to carve out its own territory.

Jack Whitehall and his dad provide big laughs

Overall, I have to say that I rather enjoyed Backchat and it definitely provoked a lot of laughter from yours truly.

So what was it like bringing up Jack Whitehall?

Michael Whitehall, irascible father of Britain's most rebellious young comedian, reveals his laid-back approach to keeping his stand-up son Jack in line.