A tight 5: March 1

STAND-UP Simon Evans is to present a four-part Radio 4 series making economics funny, Simon Evans Goes To Market. The episodes will concentrate on gold, land, oil and grain and try to explain their importance in the world economy. See our free tickets page to be in the audience.

ELF LYONS has become the second semi-finalist in the Chortle Student Comedy Awards with ALCATEL ONETOUCH and Universal Pictures (UK). The 22-year-old is studying an MA in theatre and performance at Queen Mary University of London, and has already racked up more than 500 gigs. The next heat is at Newcastle University tomorrow (Sunday).

FURTHER previews of Harry Hill's X Factor musical I Can't Sing have been cancelled because of technical faults. The show was due to start its public performances at the London Palladium two days ago, but now producers – including Simon Cowell's Syco Entertainment – say this will not now happen until sometime next week after the 'hugely ambitious' set developed problems.

STAND-UP Andrew Watts has won Chortle's £100 prize for the best Correspondence article in February for his account of performing comedy at a strip club.

SEAN HUGHES is to join the line-up of the new subscription-based comedy radio station Fubar Live, starting at midday tomorrow.

Published: 1 Mar 2014