A tight 5: January 25

NOEL FIELDING is to appear in the next series of Ben Elton’s Shakespearean sitcom Upstart Crow. Tim Downie, who plays Christopher Marlowe opposite David Mitchell’s Bard, posted the above picture of himself with Fielding on his Twitter account last night, saying: ‘First episode in the can of #UpstartCrow series 2! Fantastic audience. Made even better by this young hepcat joining the fun. It's a blinder.’

GUESTS on the next series of Dara O Brian’s Go 8 Bit will include Rob Beckett, Russell Kane, Richard Osman, Sara Pascoe, Vernon Kay, Edith Bowman and Jon Richardson.

TWO Devon theatres which regularly host stand-up tours have suddenly closed. The Queens theatre in Barnstaple and The Landmark theatre in Ilfracombe are owned by the same trust, which has gone into liquidation amid falling ticket sales.  Bill Bailey and Jenny Eclair have expressed their support for the venues, tweeting a link to a petition to save them.

HORRIBLE HISTORIES is returning to London’s West End. The show More Best of Barmy Britain will run at the Garrick Theatre in from August 7 to September 2. Tickets go on general release on Monday.

MRS BROWN’S BOYS has announced three dates at the Rhyl Pavilion as an intimate warm-up for the forthciming arena tour. Brendan O’Carroll and his family will be at the North Wales resort on March 23, 24 and 25 and tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday.

Published: 25 Jan 2017