Black Country comic dies

'Ayli' fell ill after gig

22/11/2006 … Black Country comic John Plant – who performed as half the Aynuk and Ayli double act - has died at the age of 54.

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22/11/2006 … KAZAKH president Nursultan Nazarbayev has forgiven Sacha Baron Cohen for the portrayal of his country, saying in London: 'This film was created by a comedian, so…

Robert Altman dies

MASH director was 81

21/11/2006 … Robert Altman, the acclaimed director of satirical films MASH and The Player, has died at the age of 81.

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21/11/2006 … STAND-UP Paul Tonkinson has been promoted from XFM Manchester to host the 1pm-4pm weekday slot on its sister London station from January.

Gervais films a 24 scene

– but not for broadcast

21/11/2006 … Ricky Gervais has shot a scene in the new season of 24 – but it will never make it to air.

Borat sued again

This time by Romanian villagers

21/11/2006 … Residents of a remote Romanian village have filed a $30 million claming they were misled into taking part in the Borat film.

21/11/2006 … LITTLE BRITAIN was named best comedy at the International Emmy awards in New York on Monday night.

'Thanks for nothing'

Brand fans left fuming over free gig

21/11/2006 … Russell Brand fans have been left fuming after waiting for hours for a free, semi-secret gig – only to be turned away at the door.