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20/09/2012 … BILLY CONNOLLY has become an ambassador for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, hosted by Glasgow, and has narrated an animated film telling the story behind the mascot.

Derek on demand

Gervais's show bypasses US broadcasters – and goes direct to Netflix

19/09/2012 … Ricky Gervais’s series Derek will be bypassing broadcasters in the States – to go straight to video-on-demand service Netflix.

Ricky Gervais turns app entrepreneur

Like Twitter - but for voice messages

19/09/2012 … Ricky Gervais has launched his own iPhone app – which aims to be like Twitter, but using voice messages.

'He was rebellious without even trying...'

Oliver Lansley on playing Kenny Everett

19/09/2012 … BBC Four is about to add to its considerable catalogue of biopics about dead comedians, with a new 90-minute drama about Kenny Everett.

£3.6m budget for Mrs Brown's movie

...as quiz show is also piloted

19/09/2012 … The movie version of Mrs Brown’s Boys has been given a £3.

Their names escape us...

Robert Ross ponders why some comics get forgotten

19/09/2012 … Over the last 15 years or so I've written lots of books on lots of British comedy from the Carry Ons and Benny Hill, to Monty Python and Last Of The Summer Wine.

BBC 'lost interest' in Red Dwarf

Co-creator says they didn't want revival

19/09/2012 … The BBC had no interest in reviving Red Dwarf – even though it attracted audiences of up to eight million, co-creator Doug Naylor has revealed.

amstellus19

19/09/2012 … SIMON AMSTELL's profile in the US is set to receive a small boost, as his stand-up show Do Nothing has been scheduled to air on BBC America on October 6.