The week's best comedy on TV, radio and streaming

Our pick of the comedy on TV, radio and streaming this week…:

Sunday March 24

THE GREAT CELEBRITY BAKE OFF FOR STAND UP TO CANCER: This week its the turn of Rhod Gilbert - whose own cancer journey has been well-publicised - and Leigh Francis to enter the Bake Off Tent. They - along with actor Danny Dyer and presenter Yinka Bokinni - must attempt to make attempt miniature biscuit people, a fancy tea-time classic, and a cake based on their biggest failure. Channel 4, 7.40pm

WORLD'S MOST DANGEROUS ROADS: Jess Fostekew and Desiree Burch take on an epic journey across Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, facing deep gullied tracks, rockslides, and gigantic boulde. Dave, 8pm

Tuesday March 26

MEL GIEDROYC - UNFORGIVABLE: Nish Kumar spills the beans on his X-rated workplace behaviour, Ruby Wax tells of her drug smuggling past and Reuben Kaye's NSFW pantomime pranks are revealed… Dave, 10pm

Wednesday March 27

MANDY: Diane Morgan returns with a third series of Mandy, with her title character trying to battle her personal cost-of-living crisis with a number of short-lived, ill-thought-through and poorly paid jobs in the zero-hours economy. We start with a double-bill, with Mandy trying her hand at joining an airline's cabin crew. Read an interview with Morgan here. BBC Two, 10pm

BIG GAY WEDDING: WITH Tom Allen: This month marks the 10th anniversary of the first same-sex marriage in the UK, after it was legalised in England and Wales the previous year. To mark the occasion, Tom Allen is pulling out all the stops to arrange a dream wedding for one gay couple. Read an interview with the comedian about the show here. BBC One, 9pm

Thursday March 28

TASKMASTER: It's back for a 17th series with Joanne McNally, John Robins, Nick Mohammed, Sophie Willan and Steve Pemberton are the formidable five hoping to pass muster with Taskmaster Greg Davies with their attempts to hunt for patatas, hoopla a gorilla and hug a special friend, all under the watchful eye of Alex Horne. Channel 4, 9pm

BIG MOOD: Derry Girl Nicola Coughlan stars alongside It's a Sin's Lydia West in this new comedy about female friendship put under stress with the complexities of mental health, thanks to Maggie's (Coughlan's) bipolar disorder, In the opening episode, Maggie goes back to her old school to give a talk. But she's not there to inspire the children with her not-so-illustrious playwrighting career; she wants to find out if hot history teacher Mr Wilson (Tim Downie) still fancies her…Channel 4, 10pm

THE TWO RONNIES: All episodes of the classic comedy sketch show featuring Mssrs Barker and Corbett land on Britbox today.

Good Friday, March 29

STEVE! (MARTIN): A DOCUMENTARY IN TWO PIECES: Dropping on Apple TV+ today is this two-part film about a comedy great. The first film, Then – which features never-before-seen footage – chronicles Martin’s early struggles and meteoric rise to revolutionise stand-up before walking away at 35. The companion piece Now focuses on the present day, with Martin in the golden years of his career and happy in both his art and personal life. It features contributions from the likes of Martin Short, Tina Fey, Jerry Seinfeld, Eric Idle, Diane Keaton and Selena Gomez.

THE LIFE AND DEATH OF LILY SAVAGE: A year and a day after his death, this is the story of Paul O'Grady through the prism of his famous creation, Lily Savage, an underground cabaret star who took mainstream telly by storm, against all the odds. Set against the backdrop of Thatcher’s Britain, Clause 28, which sought to outlaw the 'promotion' of homosexuality, and the Aids crisis, it’s the unlikely tale of how a working-class, gay man from Birkenhead created the unforgettable character of a Scouse sex worker and honed her persona on the stages of London’s underground gay venues in the 1970s and 80s. A leading voice in the battle for LGBTQ+ equality, O’Grady endured police raids, the death of a generation of friends, and heart-breaking visits to Aids wards (in character) before moving into television. Then in 2004, O'Grady hung up his wig and retired the character from the small screen - taking a chance the viewing public would accept him as himself. ITV1, 9pm

PILGRIMAGE: THE ROAD THROUGH NORTH WALES: In the latest three-part instalment of this religious show, comedians Eshaan Akbar, a lapsed Muslim, and Tom Rosenthal, areligious, are among the celebrities going on a literal spiritual journey, following a route that celebrates early Christian Celtic saints. BBC Two, 9pm

TRAVEL MAN: 48 HOURS IN ROVANIEMI: Desiree Burch joins Joe Lycett for some snow-filled shenanigans in the city of Rovaniemi - the official home of Santa Claus - in Finnish Lapland on the edge of the Arctic Circle. After flying to Helsinki, Joe and Desiree catch the overnight sleeper train to Rovaniemi, where they try ice floating, donning rubber suits and climbing into a freezing lake. After they thaw out, they head for a five-course tasting menu inspired by Lappish ingredients including, inevitably, reindeer. On day two, Joe and Desiree try ice fishing, ride in a traditional Sami reindeer caravan, learn some traditional Lappish handicrafts, and finally settle down by the fire to look for the Northern lights. Channel 4, 8.30pm

THE LAST LEG: This time, the boys are joined by Richard Osman and Jordan Gray. Channel 4, 10pm

Saturday March 30

YOU'RE DEAD TO ME: In this special live episode, with music by the BBC Concert Orchestra, Greg Jenner is joined by Dr Hannah Templeton and comedian David O’Doherty to learn all about Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Radio 4, 10am

Published: 24 Mar 2024