A tight 5: September 16

A LETTER written by Stan Laurel fetched an astonishing £1,400 when it went under the hammer today. The note - which is typewritten but signed by the comedy star - was sent in 1960 from his Californian home to his childhood friend Margaret Miller in Northumberland. The one-page letter thanks her for a card showing Tynemouth Pavilion, which he said 'bought back many happy memories', and asks after some mutual friends. Anderson and Garland auctioneers previously said they hoped it would fetch up to £500, but admitted it might 'create a bit of a frenzy'.

JUDD APATOW is to make a relationship comedy series for Netflix.The on-demand service has ordered two series of Love, with 10 and 12 episodes respectively, to air in 2016 and 2017. It will star Paul Rust and Community’s Gillian Jacobs, Hollywood website Deadline reports.

RICKY GERVAIS is to make a guest appearance in comic fantasy series Galavant, playing a wizard named Xanax. The musical comedy, for America's ABC network, revolves around a knight vowing revenge on the king who stole his love. Much of the show is being filmed in the Wales and Hugh Bonneville, ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic and Vinnie Jones also have roles.

FILMING has begun on a new series of Still Open All Hours in Doncaster, with studio scenes due to be shot in Teddington in October and November. Six new episodes have been written by original creator Roy Clarke and involve David Jason reprising his role as Granville Arkwright.

JACK WHITEHALL has been named as the host of Feeling Nuts, a one-off Channel 4 stand-up show, promoting the message that men should check their testicles for possible signs of cancer. It will air in October as part of the network's Stand Up To Cancer season.

Published: 16 Sep 2014