A tight 5: June 29

FIVE more lost Tony Hancock shows are to be re-recorded for Radio 4. Kevin McNally will reprise his role as The Lad Himself for the Galton & Simpson scripts not heard since the 1950s, and recently rediscovered by actor and antiquarian book dealer Neil Pearson. The new episodes will be recorded next month (Free audience tickets) ahead of a revival of other lost scripts at the Edinburgh Fringe in August.

STEWART LEE is to host a Radio 4 documentary about improvised music. The show has the working title The Art of Improvisation, though that is likely to be changed, and is due to air on Tuesday July 21 at 11.30am.

TEN comics are to compete for a newly-launched talent award. The Magners New Comedy Act will have a heat at the Bristol Comedy Garden next month to whittle the number down to six who will compete for the £1,000 top prize at the Greenwich Comedy Festival in London in September, both sponsored by the drinks company. The ten are Jake Lambert, Sophie Willan, Chris Washington, Geroge Ridgen, Ingrid Dahle, Elliot Steel, Lolly Adefope, Luke Smith, Beni Waterstone and Becky Brunning.

THE Last Leg attracted 1million viewers to Channel 4 when it retuned on Friday, down on the 1.3million who tuned into the first episode of series five in January (which is also the average for that slot). Guest Stephen Merchant joined Adam Hills, Alex Brooker and Josh Widdicombe.

John Robins has released his second stand-up album on Bandcamp, a recording of last year’s Edinburgh show This Tornado Loves You, taped at the Comedy Box in Bristol. It’s available here on a pay-what-you-want basis.

Published: 29 Jun 2015