Rab C. Nesbitt

Rab C. Nesbitt on the 2014 Scottish referendum debate

"This referendum will be asking me who I'd prefer to be marginalised by: Holyrood or Westminster?"

Rab C. Nesbitt: political and laugh-out loud funny

The charms of Rab C. Nesbitt (BBC Two) have been hit and miss over the years but special episode Rab In Hoodie found Gregor Fisher at the top of his potty-mouthed game, his string-vested alter ego Rab reinvented as a modern-day twist on folk hero Robin Hood.

The production values of this Gregor Fisher-starring comedy remain trapped in the 1980s, but its concerns are bang up to date with the Big Society. Rab's spare room is under investigation. Mary is rooting through bins for food, and there's no money to send Peaches on the school trip. Rab's solution? Take up arms against capitalism, with only Andra and the repulsive Jamesie to help him. Living in the woods, though, is tough for these Scottish Robin Hoods. "It'll be July soon," says Jamesie. "We'll freeze."

Desperate times call for desperate measures, so when he's strapped for cash and granddaughter Peaches is yearning to go on the school cruise to Sweden, the resourceful Rab hits on a cunning plan: rob the rich to help the poor! Gregor Fisher mines a broad seam of humour from his variation on the Robin Hood theme, with barbs aimed at George Osborne hitting the target bang on. If the Scots vote for independence, they should make Rab the chancellor.

Govan is beset by universal credit and the bedroom tax. Mary is playing food bank roulette, and it doesn't look like Peaches will be going on the school cruise to Sweden. After forming the Scum Alliance (which vows to spend benefit on highly taxed items) and robbing a building society, Rab and Jamesie remain unfulfilled - until they start taking from the rich and giving to the poor.

You either get on with Rab or you don't, and as usual there's plenty to wince at. Nevertheless, the meticulous detail (the pub called The Punctured Arms, the early-evening magazine programme titled The Wan Show) of Ian Pattison's creation could teach other sitcoms a thing or two about giving back to the audience.

Rab C. Nesbitt, TV review

Mrs Brown's Boys might have won the Christmas Day ratings battle, but it didn't tackle bedroom tax, ATOS, workfare and Scottish Independence.

Rab C Nesbitt set for bedroom tax battle

The UK government is facing a new opponent in its battle over the so-called bedroom tax - Rab C Nesbitt. The Glaswegian layabout is to be targeted by the controversial changes to housing benefit in a Christmas special of the BBC comedy.

Rab C Nesbitt star Iain McColl dies aged 59

Actor Iain McColl has died at the age of 59, his sister announced today.

Rab C Nesbitt painting to auction for thousands

String-vested icon Rab C Nesbitt has been given the keys to Number 10 in a painting tipped to fetch thousands of pounds at an auction.

Ulster Unionist leader should look at Rab C Nesbitt

Mike Nesbitt's early gaffe suggests he could use a lesson from his namesake to avoid becoming a real comedy character.