A tight 5: September 6

ISY SUTTIE, Stephen Mangan, Julie Walters and Ian Hislop are to pay tribute to the creator of Adrian Mole in The Secret Life Of Sue Townsend, Age 68 ¾, one of several new commissions announced by BBC Two today as it reveals that its Saturday night schedules will be given over to the arts throughout the autumn. In another documentary, Michael Palin will pay tribute to travel writer Jan Morris, born James Morris, whose career highlights included conquering Mount Everest and interviewing Che Guevara.

BIRDS Of A Feather was named best comedy at the TV Choice Awards last night, hosted by Jo Brand. The sitcom previously won the same title back in 1999. Benidorm, Russell Howard's Good News and Stella had also been nominated.

THE finalists of the Birmingham Comedy Festival Breaking Talent Award 2016 have been announced. Ali Warwood, Harv Hawkins, Moses Ali Khan, Richard Quarmby and Tom Christian will vie for the title on the opening night of the ten-day festival, October 7, at the Glee Club, in front of judges including Jasper Carrott.

DAVE has announced that series 3 of Taskmaster with Al Murray, Dave Gorman, Paul Chowdhry, Rob Beckett and Sara Pascoe will air from October 5. Greg Davies and Alex Horne also return as Taskmaster and his adminstrator.

TAPE FACE - aka The Boy With Tape On His Face – has been forced to reschedule some of his autumn gigs after making the final of America's Got Talent. September shows in Salford, Kendal, Leeds, Peterborough and Nottingham have all been shifted because of his US TV appearance on September 13 and its aftermath. Click here for his new schedule.

Published: 5 Sep 2016