A tight 5: February 4

SKY 1 has ordered a fifth series of Duck Quacks Don't Echo, in which Lee Mack and guest comedian put audience hypotheses to the test. Producers have put out an appeal for fans willing to help the show out with their 'facts'.

SOME MOTHERS Do 'Ave 'Em star Michael Crawford is to be presented with an award for 'visual comedy excellence' by the Bristol-based Slapstick festival of silent and vintage comedy. The accolade, previously won by Eric Sykes, The Goodies, Reeves and Mortimer and Pierre Etaix, will be presented at an 'audience with…' session in the city's St George's venue on April 8.

NOEL FIELDING is to perform an intimate gig at West London's Bush Theatre on February 19. The …And Friends show is part of a four-night season at the Shepherds Bush venue put together by his agents PBJ.

ENTRIES have opened for this year's English Comedian Of The Year competition. Top prize in the event is £1,5000 and a month-long trip to the 2017 Adelaide and Perth Fringe festivals, where last year's top three comics – Brennan Reece, Chris Turner and Alistair Barrie are currently performing. Heats will take place in March, April and May with the final at the Udderbelly Southbank on July 4. Enter here.

BOB ELLIOTT of 1950s American double act Bob and Ray has died at the age of 92, 26 years after his partner Ray Goulding. Staring on radio in Boston, they had a TV show on NBC from 1951 to 1953. He was the father of Chris and grandfather of Abby Elliott,both of whom became Saturday Night Live cast members.

Published: 4 Feb 2016