06/03/2007 … CATHERINE TATE has raised £56,000 for charity by auctioning the chance to take a walk-on part opposite sulky teenager Lauren in her TV Christmas special.

06/03/2007 … ACCLAIMED American stand-up Doug Stanhope is performing for one night in the UK on March 20, with two shows at The Caves in Edinburgh at 7.

deacon06

06/03/2007 … TOM DEACON won the Southampton heat of the Chortle Student Comedy Award, sponsored by Revels, on Monday night.

Car trouble

Brand cancels gig at last minute

06/03/2007 … Russell Brand left hundreds of fans disappointed by cancelling a gig 20 minutes before it was due to start - blaming a car breakdown.

Pay to play hits London

Comics will be charged to perform

05/03/2007 … A London comedy promoter has launched a controversial ‘pay-to-play’ scheme, charging new stand-ups for stage time.

Increasing its Standing

Last Comic show to air on UK TV

05/03/2007 … America’s biggest comedy talent hunt is to be screened on British TV this summer.

05/03/2007 … LUKE TOULSON, of the Perrier-newcomer nominated double act Toulson and Harvey, won the Hackney Empire New Act Of The Year competition on Sunday night.

05/03/2007 … JANEY GODLEY has landed a weekly column in The Scotsman newspaper, starting next Monday.