And so it’s farewell to that gentle man and fabulous actor Gorden Kaye,  who gave an exemplary farce performance in ‘Allo ‘Allo as Rene Artois on television, stage, and even hit single, from the pilot show in 1982 until the final revival in 2007. A beautifully nuanced, sympathetic and, above all, relentlessly hilarious turn, it is quite simply one of the great sitcom creations. Having worked with Alan Ayckbourn, Gorden (born plain Gordon Kaye, he was mis~credited in the programme of a successful stage run and he kept it for luck ~ it worked!) appeared opposite Ronnie Barker in the film of Porridge, and Leonard Rossiter in the short subject The Waterloo Bridge Handicap. He also played Elsie Tanner’s nephew, Bernard Butler, in Coronation Street, but it was a productive association with producer/writer David Croft that led to stardom. Roles in Are You Being Served?, It Ain’t Half Hot Mum, and the notorious Mollie Sugden space romp Come Back Mrs. Noah, resulted in the plum role of Rene. It was life~changing. So much so, that Gorden’s 1989 memoirs were entitled Rene & Me. It’s a recommended insight into a private, precise and perfectly amusing man.

I was touched to be able to paid a personal tribute to Gorden on BBC Berkshire on the day his death at the age of 75 was announced, and BBC1 are screening ‘Allo, ‘Allo series one classic ‘Pigeon Post’ this evening from 7.30pm. Thanks for all the laughs. We shall still be watching…

I’m really looking forward to returning to Bristol for the always excellent Slapstick Festival. This year’s celebration of custard pies and clowning begins on Wednesday, with highlights including tributes to Victoria Wood and Rik Mayall, a fascinating investigation into the collaboration between ‘Buster’ Keaton and Samuel Beckett, Roy Hudd resurrecting the Pure Gold of Music Hall, Max Miller, screenings of Harold Lloyd’s Hot Water, Jacques Tati’s Mon Oncle, and a particularly pertinent presentation of Charlie Chaplin’s The Great Dictator. I won’t be arriving until the Saturday, but hope to join Graeme Garden, Bill Oddie and Robin Ince for a look at the Goodies in print, Neil Innes and Dick Fiddy sifting through ultra-rare telly remnants of the Bonzo Dog Band, and Jeffrey Holland’s love letter to his hero Stan Laurel. From 11am. on Sunday, 22nd. January, I’ll be on stage at the Bristol Old Vic, saluting that behemoth of buffoonery Tommy Cooper, in the company of one who oft wrote for him and knew him well, the national treasure that is Barry Cryer. If any of that tickles your fancy, and how couldn’t it?, you can find out more information and ticket availability at www.slapstick.org.uk See you there!

Comedy nostalgia champions Gold TV have held a poll amongst comedians to ascertain the Best British Sitcom and, unsurprisingly, it’s still ‘Fawlty Towers’! The twelve episode run of perfection, written by John Cleese and Connie Booth in the 1970s, beat other cast-iron classics including ‘Dad’s Army’, ‘Only Fools and Horses’ and ‘The Young Ones’. David Baddiel, Jenny Eclair, Alexei Sayle and Reece Shearsmith joined 96 other professional mirth-makers for a survey that stretches from Tony Hancock to Ricky Gervais, and named Steve Coogan’s Alan Partridge and Joanna Lumley’s Patsy Stone as finest comedy performances. I popped in on Phil Kennedy’s afternoon show on BBC Berkshire to discuss the findings. Top fun as usual.

A very Happy Two Thousand and Seventeen, and it’s a year that promises to be exciting, productive and full of laughter! The New Year honours list certainly gave 2017 a tattifelarius start, when a knighthood was bestowed on relentless giggle juggernaut Ken Dodd. One of still only a handful of comedians to get the nod – George Robey, Charlie Chaplin, Bruce Forsyth (“I’m an entertainer…”) – Sir Ken has been making the nation laugh since the 1950s and now, in his 90th. year, he is still on the road. “Absolutely delighted and highly tickled to have been given the honour”, it is a well-deserved salute to a towering behemoth of variety comedy.