A tight 5: November 29

Lenny Henry is to be one of the guest editors of Radio 4's Today programme this Christmas. His show, on December 30, will feature interviews with people who helped to break down racial barriers a generation ago, and ask what progress is still needed in fields such as broadcasting.

JASON MANFORD is to front another edition of his news review show A Funny Old Year for ITV. It will be the third year the show has aired, and it will be recorded in London next month. See our free tickets page to be in the audience.

JONNY DONAHOE, best known as the frontman for comedy band Jonny & The Baptists, is heading to New York for four months to star in an Off-Broadway play about depression. Every Brilliant Thing, written by Duncan Macmillan, will transfer to Barrow Street Theatre from December 5 following a run at the Edinburgh Fringe where The Stage called it 'an extraordinary piece of participative theatre'.

THE artistic director of Leicester Square Theatre, Martin Witts, as been honoured for supporting new writing. He was recognised as part of the Writers' Guild of Great Britain's Olwen Wymark Theatre Encouragement awards for 'extraordinary largesse to the cause of new writing'.

Bill Cosby's alma mater has severed ties with the comedian following the slew of sexual assault allegations against him. The University of Massachusetts-Amherst announced that Cosby has stepped down as honorary co-chairman of a $300 million fundraising campaign at the university's request. 'He no longer has any affiliation with the campaign nor does he serve in any other capacity for the university,' said a university spokesman.

Published: 29 Nov 2014