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Frank Skinner has received an MBE in the New Year Honours list for his services to entertainment.

The broadcaster and comedian, 65, began his career in 1987 at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Skinner – whose real name is Christopher Graham Collins – returned to the festival four years later in 1991 and was feted with one of comedy’s most prestigious accolades, the Perrier Award.

Speaking to the Pa news agency, Skinner said that he has held off on telling those closest to him about his MBE in case the news turned out to be the result of “some sort of administrative error”.

“Well, to be honest, I haven’t told anyone at all, even those closest to me, because I still thought there might be some sort of administrative error,” he said.

“But I think it’s brilliant. I deal mainly in laughs and applause and they disappear into the air quite quickly. So...

All hail Blu-ray 3-D … a format still hanging on as one of the best features of home theater. Budd Boetticher’s trim action meller gives us Van Heflin (good) and Julie Adams (respectable) in a Mexican rebellion mini-epic with a backlot feel but rather good 3-D. The 3-D Film Archive’s experts have optimized the depth effect and included a colorful, very depth-y Woody Woodpecker cartoon. And Boetticher advocate Jeremy Arnold provides the audio commentary.

Wings of the Hawk

3-D Blu-ray

Kl Studio Classics

1953 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 81 min. / available through Kino Lorber / Street Date February 9, 2021 / 29.95

Starring: Van Heflin, Julie Adams, Abbe Lane, George Dolenz, Noah Beery Jr., Rodolfo Acosta, Antonio Moreno, Pedro González González, Paul Fierro, Mario Siletti, Rico Alaníz, Rodolfo Hoyos, Jr., Rosa Turich, Lyle Talbot.

Cinematography: Clifford Stine

Film Editor: Russel Schoengarth

Original Music: Frank Skinner

Written by James E. Moser, Kay Lenard from the novel by Gerald Drayson Adams...

This show has everything going for it, in fact, it has Too much going for it: tragic drama, silly comedy, bland heart-tugs and saucy romance. Everybody’s working across purposes, with ‘stunt’ guest star Bobby Darin preening for awards attention. Angie Dickinson, Tony Curtis and Eddie Albert are terrific but are acting in different movies; and Gregory Peck seems out of his depth altogether. Does it keep our attention? You bet. Does it work? I’m not so sure.

Captain Newman, M.D.

Blu-ray

Kl Studio Classics

1963 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 126 min. / Street Date January 5, 2021 / available through Kino Lorber / 24.95

Starring: Gregory Peck, Tony Curtis, Angie Dickinson, Bobby Darin, Eddie Albert, Robert Duvall, Bethel Leslie, Dick Sargent, James Gregory, Larry Storch, Jane Withers, Vito Scotti, Gregory Walcott, Ann Doran, Martin West, David Winters.

Cinematography: Russell Metty

Film Editor: Alma Macrorie

Music: Frank Skinner

Written by Richard L. Breen, Phoebe & Henry Ephron from...

Preserved by the 'United States Library of Congress' as "culturally, historically and aesthetically significant", this Halloween take a look at the classic horror comedy feature "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein" (1948), directed by Charles Barton, with a haunting score by Frank Skinner, starring the comedy team of  Bud Abbott and Lou Costello: 

"...freight handlers 'Wilbur Grey' and 'Chick Young' have their lives turned upside down...

"...when the supposed remains of the 'Frankenstein' monster and 'Dracula' arrive from Europe to be used in 'McDougal's House of Horrors'..."

Click the images to enlarge... ...

Jules Dassin’s most popular pre-exile crime thriller is many things: a cracking good police tale, a drama of human struggle and weakness, and an amazing cinematic time machine of New York’s distinctive hustle and bustle circa 1948. Mark Hellinger’s final production bristles with a ‘these are the facts’ narration, a voiceover personifying a city ‘with eight million stories.’ The filmed-on-location classic always looked okay, but this new restoration sources better elements for picture and sound, improving the show substantially.

The Naked City

Blu-ray

The Criterion Collection 380

1948 / B&w / 1:37 Academy / 96 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date September 8, 2020 / 39.95

Starring: Barry Fitzgerald, Howard Duff, Dorothy Hart, Don Taylor, Ted de Corsia, House Jameson, Anne Sargent, Adelaide Klein, Tom Pedi, Enid Markey.

Cinematography: William Daniels

Film Editor: Paul Weatherwax

Original Music: Miklos Rozsa, Frank Skinner

Written by Albert Maltz, Malvin Wald

Produced by Mark Hellinger

Directed by Jules Dassin...

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“Technicolor Sabers”

By Raymond Benson

Was this really a movie sub-genre? Colorful “Middle Eastern” action-comedy-adventures loosely derived from The Book of One Thousand and One Nights? Full of harem girls, saber-wielding swashbucklers, epic set pieces with beautifully designed sets and “Arabian” costumes, camels and horses and tigers, and… comedians?

The answer is, ahem, yes. During the war years of the early 1940s, Universal Pictures made several of these “exotic adventure” pictures that capitalized on the success of Britain’s Thief of Bagdad (1940). Hollywood quickly got into this act, but like the Bing Crosby and Bob Hope “Road to…” pictures, these movies set in the world of ancient Arabia were filmed on sound stages in southern California… and it shows.

The films were hugely popular at the time, but they have not aged well. We shall examine two of the more successful entries of...

Today’s noir forecast is vice, kidnapping, murder, suicide, narcotics and a sleazy stolen baby racket! Kino’s third volume of Universal-International pix contains two seldom-screened quality urban noirs. Expect genuine dark themes in these sizable-budget location noirs filmed before Universal pulled most production back onto its one-size-fits-all backlot sets. Barbara Stanwyck dominates one show, while noir stalwarts Richard Conte and Dennis O’Keefe anchor the other two dramas, with dynamic showings by Coleen Gray, Edith Barrett, Peggy Dow, Jeanette Nolan, Meg Randall and especially Gale Storm.

Film Noir the Dark Side of Cinema III

Abandoned, The Lady Gambles, The Sleeping City

Blu-ray

Kl Studio Classics

1949-50 / B&w / 1:37 Academy / 79,99,86 min. / Street Date June 9, 2020 / available through Kino Lorber / 34.99

Starring: Dennis O’Keefe, Gale Storm, Jeff Chandler, Meg Randall, Raymond Burr, Marjorie Rambeau, Jeanette Nolan, Mike Mazurki, Will Kuluva, David Clarke; Barbara Stanwyck, Robert Preston, Stephen McNally, Edith Barrett, John Hoyt,...

Great 3-D thrills — Hollywood was working to perfect 3-D movies just as the craze died out. An impeccable Blu-ray 3-D restoration, the glory of young Rock Hudson and some of the best Utah scenery in depth makes this a very enjoyable disc. Director Douglas Sirk was itching to do a western, and the swiftly rising star Rock Hudson wanted to work for him again, even though it meant playing another Indian role. Were these men that desperate to get out of Hollywood for a month? At least they avoided filming in nuclear test sites…

Taza, Son of Cochise

3-D Blu-ray

Kl Studio Classics

1954 / Color / 2.00:1 widescreen / 79 min. / Street Date May 26, 2020 / available through Kino Lorber / 29.95

Starring: Rock Hudson, Barbara Rush, Gregg Palmer, Rex Reason, Morris Ankrum, Eugene Iglesias, Richard H. Cutting, Ian MacDonald, Robert Burton, Joe Sawyer, Lance Fuller, Charles Horvath, Jeff Chandler, William Leslie, Barbara Burck, most of Utah.

Cinematography:...

Without comedy panel show Taskmaster, the world would be a worse place. There’d be no Tree Wizard, no Bob Mortimer-designed pork pie presentation unit, a great deal less footage of the brilliant weirdness of Sally Phillips, Josh Widdicombe wouldn’t have a Greg Davies foot tattoo and the mayor of Chesham would never have been presented with the rare gift of 42 Calippos.

Created by Alex Horne and developed for television from his 2010 Edinburgh Fringe show, Taskmaster brings extreme and silly joy; it is to be cherished.

Nine series of the show that pits comedians against absurd and pointless challenges to see just how their minds work have aired on Dave since 2015. This year, it’s packing up and moving to a new home on Channel 4, a move confirmed in November 2019 with these words from Alex on the official website:

‘I promise the show won’t change & there...

This great, unheralded western is divorced from the usual concerns of law and order and gunslinger protocol. As in most every film by Jacques Tourneur, we feel a strong empathy for characters that behave like real people working out real problems. The Oregon Territory is pioneered by imperfect people — opportunists, knaves and hopeful dreamers — all rich in personality. Dana Andrews and Susan Hayward lead a large cast in a tale with just as much conflict and violence as the next western, but with an integrity one can feel. The icing on the cake is the presence of ‘troubadour’ Hoagy Carmichael and his beautiful music.

Canyon Passage

Blu-ray

Kl Studio Classics

1946 / Color / 1:37 flat Academy / 92 min. / Street Date March 10, 2020 / available through Kino Lorber / 29.95

Starring: Dana Andrews, Susan Hayward, Brian Donlevy, Patricia Roc, Ward Bond, Hoagy Carmichael, Fay Holden, Stanley Ridges, Lloyd Bridges, Andy Devine, Victor Cutler, Rose Hobart, Halliwell Hobbes, James Cardwell,...

This unassuming noir classic can boast a strong creative pedigree and an unusual ending… which I’ll not spoil. Dan Duryea is the confused pianist helping June Vincent clear her husband of a murder charge, by infiltrating the nightclub of suspicious Peter Lorre. The outline sticks close to Cornell Woolrich’s story source, and Roy William Neill contributes a classy job of direction.

Black Angel

Blu-ray

Arrow Academy

1946 / B&w / 1:37 Academy / 81 min. / Street Date January 28, 2020 / 39.95

Starring: Dan Duryea, June Vincent, Peter Lorre, Broderick Crawford, Constance Dowling, Wallace Ford, Hobart Cavanaugh, Ben Bard, Freddie Steele, John Phillips.

Cinematography: Raoul Ivano

Film Editor: Saul A. Goodkind

Special effects: David S. Horsley

Original Music: Frank Skinner

Written by Roy Chanslor from a novel by Cornell Woolrich

Produced by Roy William Neill, Tom McKnight

Directed by Roy William Neill

The many movies made from Cornell Woolrich’s novels and stories can be a...

Did star James Stewart and director Anthony Mann corner the market on upscale ‘A’ ’50s westerns? This beauty sends Stewart, Ruth Roman and Corrine Calvet on a breezy trek over a Canadian glacier, with Walter Brennan as a folksy, ditsy sidekick — not very original but endearing. John McIntire saves the day as a charmingly malevolent self-appointed Judge Roy Bean-type swindler and murderer — he’s so hilariously evil, even Stewart’s character is amused. The special edition has two aspect ratio versions, a full commentary and two film history featurette-docus.

The Far Country

Blu-ray

Arrow Academy

1955 / color / 1:88 + 1:2 widescreen / 97 min. / Street Date November 12, 2019 / available through Kino Lorber / 29.95

Starring: James Stewart, Ruth Roman, Corinne Calvet, Walter Brennan, John McIntire, Jay C. Flippen, Harry Morgan, Steve Brodie, Connie Gilchrist, Robert J. Wilke, Chubby Johnson, Royal Dano, Jack Elam, Kathleen Freeman, Connie Van, Eugene Borden, John Doucette, Chuck Roberson.

Cinematography: William H. Daniels...

Now that we can read the real story of the great silent actor and makeup magician Lon Chaney, the inaccuracies are fairly glaring in this well-received biopic about his career heights and difficult personal life. But it remains a compelling James Cagney movie, allowing the actor to try on different acting styles (and even a dancing style). The dramatic conflicts may be invented, but they’re compelling just the same. The movie works even as it represents Chaney’s original fantastic makeup creations with a series of ever-worsening rubber masks. Excellent supporting performances from Dorothy Malone, Jane Greer and Celia Lovsky. This one carries a good Tim Lucas commentary as well.

Man of a Thousand Faces

Blu-ray

Arrow Video

1957 / B&w / 2:35 anamorphic widescreen / 122 min. / Street Date October 29, 2019 / Available from Arrow Video / 34.95

Starring: James Cagney, Dorothy Malone, Jane Greer, Marjorie Rambeau, Jim Backus, Robert Evans, Celia Lovsky, Jeanne Cagney, Jack Albertson.

One of the strangest ‘uplifting moral tales’ of the 1950s was a huge hit, and launched Rock Hudson as a major star. Criterion’s deluxe presentation puts it on a par with world cinema, mawkish Kitsch-o-Rama and all. Comes with a restored copy of the slightly less head-spinning 1935 version, too. Co-stars Jane Wyman, Barbara Rush, Agnes Moorehead, and Otto Kruger, whose moral guidance has something to do with ‘contacting one’s power source.’ Oh, it’s about recharging my iPhone!

Magnificent Obsession

Blu-ray

The Criterion Collection 457

1954 / Color / 2.00:1 anamorphic widescreen / 108 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date August 20, 2019 / 39.95

Starring: Jane Wyman, Rock Hudson, Barbara Rush, Agnes Moorehead, Otto Kruger.

Cinematography: Russell Metty

Film Editor: Milton Carruth

Original Music: Frank Skinner

Written by Robert Blees from an original screenplay by Victor Heerman, Sarah Y. Mason, George O’Neil from the novel by Lloyd C. Douglas

Produced by Ross Hunter

Directed...

Three survivors of a tragedy at sea wash up on the shores of a mysterious island in this intelligent supernatural drama

The Isle is a well-made, forcefully acted film from director Matthew Butler-Hart; he has co-written the screenplay with his partner Tori Butler-Hart – who also acts in the movie – and together they have created an intriguing work, modestly and intelligently conceived, a supernatural melodrama characterised by an eerie sort of restraint. There are hints of Shakespeare and classical and Scots mythology.

It is the mid-19th century and three sailors, Oliver (Alex Hassell), Jim (Graham Butler) and Cailean (Fisayo Akinade) are the only survivors of a terrible wreck. On their leaky lifeboat they have somehow made it over to a mysterious island off the Scottish coast, where the inhabitants clearly have terrible secrets and are strangely unhelpful when it comes to getting these men back to the mainland. They are...

Douglas Sirk took our heads off with this intense, thematically adult tale of love and obsession in a Depression-Era flying circus that’s the open air equivalent of the marathon dance craze — pilots die to thrill the crowd. The terrific-looking show provides career-best roles for some deserving actors: Robert Stack, Dorothy Malone, Jack Carson and Robert Middleton … but the newly-minted star Rock Hudson seems miscast.

The Tarnished Angels

Blu-ray

Kl Studio Classics

1957 / B&W / 2:35 widescreen / 91 min. / Street Date March 26, 2019 / available through Kino Lorber / 29.95

Starring: Rock Hudson, Robert Stack, Dorothy Malone, Jack Carson, Robert Middleton, Alan Reed, Alexander Lockwood, Chris Olsen, Robert J. Wilke, Troy Donahue.

Cinematography: Irving Glassberg

Film Editor: Russell F. Schoengarth

Original Music: Frank Skinner

Written by George Zuckerman from a novel by William Faulkner

Produced by Albert Zugsmith

Directed by Douglas Sirk

Douglas Sirk made his name with big, glossy soap operas starring Jane Wyman and Rock Hudson,...

Jane Russell heats up an Arizona mining town but she’s just trying to help her new husband with his ethnic identity issues, Jeff Chandler. Superb color cinematography (forget the B&W photos here) and beautiful desert locations help, but the real appeal is seeing Russell and gorgeous co-star Mara Corday in all their glory.

Foxfire

Blu-ray

Kl Studio Classics

1955 / Color / 2:00 widescreen / 92 min. / Street Date , 2019 / available through Kino Lorber / 29.95

Starring: Jane Russell, Jeff Chandler, Dan Duryea, Mara Corday, Barton MacLane, Frieda Inescort, Celia Lovsky, Eddy Waller, Robert F. Simon, Charlotte Wynters, Robert Bice, Arthur Space, Beulah Archuletta, Dabbs Greer, Grace Lenard, Vici Raaf.

Cinematography: William Daniels

Film Editor: Ted. J. Kent

Original Music: Frank Skinner

Written by Ketti Frings, from the novel by Anya Seton

Produced by Aaron Rosenberg

Directed by Joseph Pevney

A medium-wattage relationship soap, Foxfire is an Eisenhower-era blueprint for consensus attitudes about race and class...

If you've used up all the available Douglas Sirk melodramas, why not try The Restless Years (1958), directed by Helmut Kautner (pronounced "Koit-ner")? It's a small town tale, focusing mainly on the teenage populace, but spreading out to follow their interaction with parents and teachers."This is a dirty, little, gossipy small town. And I ought to know because I was born here. People here are jut like a herd of sharks that turn on a crippled one and kill it." So says salesman James Whitmore to his son, a fresh-faced John Saxon, and he appears to be right, giving the film the social criticism dimension that Sirk's films likewise weave beneath their emotionally turbulent tales.The producer is the flamboyant Ross Hunter, who needs to be considered a kind of co-auteur of many Sirkian tales, only he should be credited for the dumber, soapier elements, his writers and directors for the irony and subtext,...

UTA has hired Bjorn Wentlandt as an agent in its comedy touring division.

Wentlandt joins the company with decades of experience and will specifically focus on expanding global representation and booking current UTA comedy clients internationally. He will work closely with the agency’s existing roster of worldwide acts, which include Impractical Jokers, Jeff Dunham, Flight of the Conchords, Jim Jefferies, Sarah Silverman, Jim Gaffigan, Rachel Bloom, and Sebastian Maniscalco, among others.

“As our touring division continues to grow with sold-out shows around the world, Bjorn’s extensive knowledge of the global comedy marketplace, combined with the great relationships he has built over the years, will benefit our clients and the agency’s profile at large,” said Nick Nuciforo, UTA’s head of comedy touring.

Wentlandt spent the last seven years at London’s top comedy firm, Avalon Entertainment, where he was responsible for running the group’s live company...

Pete Doherty is reportedly involved in a re-release of England football anthem 'Three Lions'. According to Frank Skinner, who wrote the original song with comedy partner David Baddiel and The Lightning Seeds, the Babyshambles frontman is one of the musicians involved the new track. "I have heard rumours, yeah. There's all sort of talk going on. I heard Pete Doherty's name mentioned, even. Anyway that's probably (more)...

We never liked Katy Brand’s ITV2 sketch show and didn’t find her very funny at all. However she really won us over during her time on BBC’s Let’s Dance For Sport Relief.

Her booty shaking, booby bouncing routine to Beyonce’s ‘Single Ladies’ mightily impressed our live blogger Gerard. He said:

There was a moment when I saw Katy in costume and felt a vague thrill in my loins. Her performance of Single Ladies is priceless, it’s funny, but the big girl can actually move. And those thighs… *ahem* she might be the only one to present a serious challenge to Rufus Hound.

Judge Comments:

John Culshaw: I have never seen attitude like it. That was not just a performance, that was a force of nature

Jack Dee: Lay Z is out there wondering if he is living with the real Beyonce or not.

It was no surprise to us when the Grumpy Old Women were voted through to next week’s Let’s Dance final. Those old dolls really rocked Lady Gaga’s Poker Face and the half naked men certainly didn’t hurt the routine.

Taking part was Lesley Joseph, Susie Blake, Linda Robson and Jenny Eclair and so well disguised were they, that we couldn’t even identify the one in the green outfit who was showing way too much crotch!

How do you think the Gow will do against Katy Brand, Cheryl Fergison, Richard Arnold and Kate Garraway and Debra Stephenson in next week’s final? Leave your comments below.

Related posts:Let’s Dance For Sport Relief 2010: Who is dancing in show three?Kimberley Walsh to be judge on Let’s Dance for Sport ReliefLet’s Dance For Sports Relief 2010: Who is dancing tonight?Katy Brand, Linda Robson,...

We can’t wait to watch tonight’s Let’s Dance For Sports Relief second show, during the first show we laughed so much at Rufus Hound’s Cheryl Cole impression that we almost had a toilet related accident!

Show three will feature performances from Stephen K Amos, Cheryl Fergison, Sally Rogers and Chris Simmons, Jason Cundy and Peter Shilton, Felix Dexter, Lucy Montgomery and Rhys Thomas and Lesley Joseph, Susie Blake, Linda Robson and Jenny Eclair.

Get the wine in people and join us back here later and we’ll post the video clips!

Related posts:Kimberley Walsh to be judge on Let’s Dance for Sport ReliefCheryl Fergison, Stephen K Amos & Jason Cundy sign up for Let’s Dance For Sport ReliefLet’s Dance For Sports Relief 2010: Who is dancing tonight?Katy Brand, Linda Robson, Jack Dee and Frank Skinner confirmed for Let’s Dance For Sport...

Frank Skinner has spoken out about losing half his life savings with Us insurance firm Aig. The stand-up lost a substantial amount of his estimated £6 million fortune when he was advised to invest in Aig by his bank Coutts. "I've got a lot less money than I used to," he told The Guardian. "I'm not broke or anything. I've got half of it back." When asked whether he would ever recoup the rest of his money, he added: "That's (more)...

Frank Skinner has been announced as the host of a new BBC Two entertainment show. The comic has landed his first permanent presenting job with the corporation since his series The Frank Skinner Show defected to ITV in 1999 after a new deal ended acrimoniously. Frank Skinner's Opinionated will centre around the star, along with two celebrities, discussing the week's news and events. The show will be broadcast from different locations in Britain with (more)...

Comedians Rufus Hound and Katy Brand triumphed in the first heat of Let's Dance For Sport Relief. Hound's take on Cheryl Cole's 'Fight For This Love' dance routine was the public's favourite performance of the night and won praise from judges Kimberley Walsh, Jason Manford and Frank Skinner. "I cannot believe how perfect some of the moves were. I think Cheryl would have loved it too," said Girls Aloud star Walsh. The judges picked Katy Brand's rendition of Beyoncé's 'Single Ladies' over the casts (more)...

Katy Brand and Rufus Hound have been voted into the final of this year’s Let’s Dance For Sports Relief.

The comedy based show returned to our screens tonight and delivered some hilarious performances from stand up comedians, actors and sports personalities.

We have a full run down of tonight’s show here and there is no doubt that Katy Brand’s routine to Beyonce’s ‘Single Ladies’ and Rufus Hound’s ‘Fight For This Love’ stole the show for us.

Rufus looked amazing in his full military regalia and as Jason Manford said:

‘If it wasn’t for the beard….I so would!’

Katy looked amazing in her skintight black leotard and proved that she really should wear a bit more slap in future. She looked smoking hot tonight and she pulled off some fabulous moves and butt slapping action.

Who were you rooting for tonight and do...

Girls Aloud band member Kimberley Walsh is to follow in fellow band-member Cheryl Cole’s footsteps when she makes an appearance as a judge on BBC’s Let’s Dance for Sport Relief.

The show will open on Saturday and will be fronted by Steve Jones and Claudia Winkleman.

Some of the acts who’ll feature include Katy Brand, Rufus Hound, Shappi Khorsandi, Jenny Éclair, Linda Robson, Lesley Joseph and Susie Blake.

Football stars Peter Shilton and Rodney Marsh, and snooker legends Willie Thorne and Dennis Taylor are also to star, but what we don’t know yet is who will be dancing which dances.

Two acts from each of the first three shows will go on to the Grand Final, when one act will be crowned Let’s Dance champions 2010.

The BBC’s Let’s Dance for Sport Relief site reads, “Each week, three panellists will offer their wit...

The first group of celebrities competing in Let’s Dance For Sport Relief, have been announced today.

Katy Brand, Rufus Hound and Shappi Khorsandi represent the world of comedy, alongside some of the nations favourite Grumpy Old Women, Jenny Eclair, Linda Robson, Lesley Joseph and Susie Blake.

Also taking to the dance floor will be sporting greats such as footballers Peter Shilton and Rodney Marsh, snooker legends Willie Thorne and Dennis Taylor and comedians confirmed so far are Jack Dee and Frank Skinner.

This year’s contestants will be judged by an all-new and exciting panel that sees the judging line-up change for all four shows.

Claudia Winkleman and Steve Jones return to host the show which kicks off Saturday 20 February 2010 on BBC One.

Each week a celebrity act (a mix of solo dancers, duos and groups) will perform a number of famous dances such as Single Ladies (Beyonce), Greased Lightning...

The first list of celebrities taking part in Let's Dance For Sport Relief have been revealed. Steve Jones and Claudia Winkleman will return to host the programme, which will run for four weeks on BBC One. Comics Katy Brand, Rufus Hound and Shappi Khorsandi will be joined on the dance show by sports stars Peter Shilton, Rodney Marsh, Willie Thorne and Dennis Taylor. Jenny Eclair, Linda Robson, Lesley Jospeh and Susie Blake will also compete in the charity event. The rotating judging panel will be made of comedians such as Frank Skinner and Jack Dee, as well as former contestants. Dance routines (more)...

Frank Skinner has said that he may write a new England football song with David Baddiel and The Lightning Seeds. The Fantasy Football comic revealed at last night's Loaded Lafta comedy awards that he had considered penning a follow-up to his 1996 and 1998 number one '3 Lions'. "I think I might have a go at writing a new one with the other guys," he told BBC Radio 5Live. ''Stick with the old team." Skinner said that he does not want to (more)...

Frank Skinner has claimed that fans often call him a "f**king legend" in the street. The comedian, who was named Loaded Legend at last night's Loaded Lafta Awards, joked that he has got used to the title. "I found out about the award about two weeks ago. And I said yes, okay. I suppose I do feel a bit like a legend at times. "Although it sounds like a very grand title, (more)...

'The Inbetweeners' was named Funniest Show on TV at the Loaded Lafta awards today (27.01.10). The comedy awards were attended by a host of comedians and TV personalities and also saw Frank Skinner receive the Loaded Legend award, 'Heads or Tails' host Justin Lee Collins named Funniest Man and '8 Out Of Ten Cats' named best panel show. 'The Inbetweeners' Joe Thomas - who plays Simon in the teenage growing pains comedy - credited the show's writers, Damon Beesley and Iain Morris, with earning the trophy - but admitted the scripts still make his cringe when he sees what his character has ..

Frank Skinner will receive the Loaded Laftas Legend award this year. The TV funnyman will be given the prestigious comedy award by the men's magazine for his services to stand up and comedy shows, including 'The Frank Skinner Show', 'Fantasy Football' and 'Baddiel and Skinner Unplanned'. Commenting on his win, Frank, 52, said: ''I'm very excited about winning the Legend award. This puts me in the same venn diagram as King Arthur.'' Outside of comedy Frank also hit the UK number one spot with single 'Three Lions' - performed alongside comedy partner David Baddiel and The Lightning Seeds - htree times. Frank and ..

Comic James Corden has reportedly started talks about hosting his own BBC football World Cup show. According to The Sun, the programme would be similar to David Baddiel and Frank Skinner's Fantasy Football series. "James is a massive football fan and also very funny so this is the perfect show for him," said a source. "It's early days but the plan is to borrow elements (more)...

The BBC has announced that Never Mind The Buzzcocks will return this autumn with a brand new lineup. Mighty Boosh star Noel Fielding joins Phill Jupitus on the show as a team captain, while the series will be presented by guest hosts David Walliams, Alex James, Dermot O'Leary, Jack Whitehall, Rhod Gilbert, Frank Skinner, Mark Watson and James Corden. "I am so excited about Buzzcocks. I am leaping across the Camden rooftops dressed as a small white kitten," Fielding said. Executive editor Katie Taylor added: "It's great (more)...

Frank Skinner has said that he lost half his life savings after being urged by his bank to put all his money in Us insurance company Aig. The comedian told the Daily Mail that he initially felt like he had "joined an elite" when he invested all his savings with the Queen's bankers Coutts. Skinner said: "I told them I wasn't a risk-taker and didn't want to accumulate any more money, but just wanted to make sure that what I had was safe. "My personal banker told (more)...

Frank Skinner has revealed that he is considering working on a Fantasy Cricket TV show. The comedian, 52, reportedly met up with his former Fantasy Football co-star Angus 'Statto' Loughran and the pair are apparently considering working together again. "I could be back with a cricket version of Fantasy Football. I think Fantasy Cricket would work," he is quoted as saying. Skinner presented Fantasy Football with David Baddiel between 1994 and 1996 on BBC Two. They also (more)...

John Barrowman and Myleene Klass will travel around the world to help raise money for this year's BBC Children In Need, it has been announced. Around The World In 80 Days sees six pairs of celebrities race against the clock to re-enact the odysseys of Phileas Fogg and Michael Palin. The first leg will be completed by comedians Frank Skinner and Lee Mack, Apprentice stars Nick Hewer and Saira Khan will be tackling leg two, followed by Countryfile presenters Julia Bradbury and Matt Baker, who are completing leg three. The final three parts of the challenge will be attempted by celebrity pairs comprising of Bill (more)...

Keeping football alive during the off-season, Titan Books hopes to net a winner with its new collection The Best of Roy of the Rovers: The 1970s, out on June 21.

The book is a bumper collection of 70s stories from the classic British comic strip about the life and exploits of fictional footballer Roy Race, star player for Melchester Rovers.

Readers can join Roy Race as he competes to win the £30,000 Goal Rush Challenge, learns how to play American Football, tackles the problem of hooliganism head on, and struggles to control Melchester's latest signing - the fiery, arrogant but highly talented Paco Diaz!

With an introduction from top comedian Frank Skinner, this volume also contains features and articles from the original Roy of the Rovers comic, including Roy's Summer Quiz League, a two-page feature written by Eric Morecambe, and photos of a cardboard cut-out Roy with the likes of former Man United manager Tommy Docherty.

Frank Skinner is to front a special edition of Panorama looking at taste and decency in the media. The 51-year-old comedian will present the documentary, which will delve into this year's Manuelgate saga involving Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross. ""Taste and decency is a big issue for us. [It's about] the stories we can tell before the watershed and after it. Who better than a comedian to talk about (more)...

Whether it's playing wheelchair-bound club owner Brian Potter or transsexual Irish warbler Geraldine McQueen, Peter Kay has been one of the most loved and successful comics of the last decade. With a bumper selection of mega-selling DVDs and a permanent fixture on the chatshow circuit, it wasn't surprising to hear that the Northerner recently beat Ricky Gervais and Frank Skinner to the title of the UK's favourite comedian. Read below to find out ten teasing facts about the standup. 1. Kay was born on July 2 in Bolton, Lancashire. His mum originates from County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. 2. Peter left Mount St. Joesph school with a single Gcse in Art and went on to work at a Netto supermarket, a cash and carry, a bingo hall and a toilet roll factory. 3. One of Peter's first standup gigs saw him triumphing over fellow Northern funnyman Johnny Vegas at the Northwest Comedian (more)...

Paul Merton has pulled out of this week's episode of Have I Got News For You due to illness. The comedian and team captain, 51, is suffering from a kidney infection. Stand-up comic Frank Skinner will replace him on the topical panel show. "Paul loves filming the show and really tried to avoid taking the day off," a source told The Sun. "It's only (more)...

Comedian Bill Bailey is to leave Never Mind The Buzzcocks after 11 series. A host of celebrity guests will fill the role of team captain in his stead. They include Mark Ronson, Frank Skinner, Dermot O'Leary, Jack Dee, Johnny Vegas and Bob Mortimer. Bailey, 44, who had been on the show since 2002, has stepped down because of other work commitments. The show's producer, talkbackThames, told The Press Association: "After (more)...

Jennifer Ellison and Ryan Thomas have won the Rear Of The Year award for 2008. The annual prize honours the UK celebrities with the best bottoms. Previous recipients include Charlotte Church, Will Young, Frank Skinner and Sian Lloyd. Thomas, who plays builder Jason Grimshaw on Coronation Street, said of the accolade: "It brings a new meaning to the phrase 'builders bum'." Ellison said: "I am thrilled to (more)...