A tight 5: July 5

JOSH PUGH was named English Comedian Of The Year at the Udderbelly in London last night, winning £1,500 a trip to the Adelaide and Perth Fringe festivals next year. Runner-up was Nick Page and Eddy Brimson was third. Our review will be published later today.

MEANWHILE, entries have opened for the Irish comedian of the year, which comes with a €2,000 top prize plus a trip to Australian festivals. Heats take place throughout Ireland (plus one on London) in September, with the final at the Vodafone Comedy Carnival at Galway Town Hall on Thursday October 27. Apply here.

THE Absolutely Fabulous movie took £4.4million at the UK box office over its opening weekend – the best figures since James Bond's Spectre and more than twice the three-day total for the Dad's Army movie, which took £2.1m in February.

SHARON HORGAN is to deliver the Alternative McTaggart Lecture to executives at the Edinburgh TV festival on August 26.

COMEDIAN Sophie Willan is creating a children's book based on the stories of people, like herself, who were brought up in care in Greater Manchester. Twenty care-leavers aged 16 to 25 from the area are to be offered places on courses in writing or illustration to help bring their stories to life. Those interested should email steve@sophiewillan.com.

Published: 5 Jul 2016