If you thought Christmas was all mince pies, mulled wine and merriment, prepare to adjust your snow-globes — because British comedy treasure Julian Clary has reportedly taken a turn for the… grinchy. Yes, the same man who once sashayed across TV screens in glittering suits, cooing jokes with a delicately raised eyebrow, is now the subject of a rumour suggesting he’s gone full Christmas curmudgeon.

From Glitter to Grumble

Julian Clary has never been shy about reinvention. After bursting onto the 1980s alternative comedy scene with gleefully provocative personas — including his delightfully camp early act “The Joan Collins Fan Club” — he evolved into one of the most recognisable comedians in the UK. He presented boldly playful shows such as Sticky Moments in the late ’80s and the courtroom-spoofing All Rise for Julian Clary in the ’90s, cementing his reputation as the master of sly innuendo and outrageous charm.

But now? Well, imagine Clary gliding through a Christmas market with a furrowed brow, tutting at fairy lights, batting baubles out of his way, and declaring that there is “simply too much cheer this year.” The image alone has delighted fans and mischievous rumour-spreaders alike.

Where Did the Grinch Talk Begin?

Whispers began after Clary was reportedly overheard making a dry remark about the “over-commercialised nonsense” of Christmas while promoting his live tour, A Fistful of Clary — a show he describes as adult, cheeky and filled with the kind of jokes that make the audience giggle like naughty schoolchildren. Some seized upon the remark as evidence that he has finally snapped under the weight of festive jingles.

However, there is absolutely no solid indication that Clary has deliberately declared war on Christmas. Nothing in his public appearances suggests he has turned into a full-time Scrooge. In fact, fans of his carefully-curated theatricality suspect something else entirely: that the whole idea is simply Clary being Clary — a man whose comedy thrives on exaggeration, irony and lovingly camp mischief.

A Grinch? Or Just Another Fabulous Persona?

Given his decades of performing with a wink and a flourish, it isn’t hard to believe that Julian might lean into a “grumpy Christmas villain” persona purely for fun. This is a performer known for outrageously flirtatious audience banter, lavish costumes, and a knack for transforming everyday situations into theatrical silliness. The notion of him donning emerald green velvet and lamenting the horrors of carol singing feels like exactly the sort of festive twist he’d relish.

His career has always shone brightest when he subverts expectations: whether as a mock judge presiding over ridiculous disputes or as a camp icon delivering lines so naughty they could curdle eggnog. A seasonal shift into grinch-hood fits beautifully into that pattern.

So, Is Julian Clary Really Turning Grinch?

The short answer: probably not. There’s no declaration that he despises Christmas, no evidence he’s sabotaging nativity scenes, and certainly nothing to suggest he’s barging into pantomimes to confiscate tinsel. At most, he has provided a single dry comment that has blossomed — or perhaps mutated — into a delightful rumour.

But the idea of Julian Clary as Britain’s most glamorous Grinch? It’s irresistible. It’s perfectly silly. And frankly, it’s the kind of wonderfully offbeat holiday story that feels right at home in the universe of a man who has always delighted in bending the rules of comedy.

So until he’s spotted stealing a turkey from a supermarket or booing “Silent Night,” we’ll chalk it up to festive fantasy — and enjoy the thought of Julian Clary, the coyest Grinch Christmas never knew it needed.

Ludwig — the BBC’s quietly eccentric detective comedy — has strutted onto the world stage and walked away with the International Emmy Award for Best Comedy. Yes, the show built on tea, crossword puzzles, and British awkwardness has just beaten out stiff global competition. Somewhere, a kettle is whistling triumphantly.

From Puzzle-Obsessed Recluse to International Stardom

The series premiered in 2024 and quickly became a surprise hit. It stars David Mitchell as John “Ludwig” Taylor, a socially hermit-like crossword creator whose identical twin — a police detective — vanishes without trace. Rather than call someone competent, Ludwig puts on his deceased twin’s overcoat and tries to solve the mystery himself, using crossword logic, awkward social skills, and accidental charm.

Co-starring Anna Maxwell Martin as Lucy, the detective’s wife — who ends up reluctantly dragged into Ludwig’s makeshift investigations — the show blends dry wit, cosy atmosphere, and genuine mystery. The chemistry and clever writing struck a chord: critics praised its mix of humour and heart, and viewers responded in droves.

The Night Ludwig Joined the Comedy Elite

At the 2025 International Emmy Awards, held in New York, Ludwig took home the trophy for Best Comedy Series. Given the global competition — from comedies produced across continents — this win doesn’t just reflect local taste: it’s a stamp of international approval.

The fact that a show rooted in polite Britishness, cups of tea, and crossword-puzzle reasoning resonated globally is proof that understated, intelligent comedy still travels — and even triumphs.

Why It Works — Without Trying Too Hard

• It respects the audience’s intelligence. The puzzles and mysteries aren’t cheap gimmicks — they’re genuinely clever, giving viewers “aha” moments.

• It’s absurd, but emotionally grounded. The premise could’ve tipped into farce, yet the writing and performances keep it real, warm and — surprisingly — touching.

• It’s cosy without being dull. In a world of neon-lit crime thrillers and gritty detectives, Ludwig offers something softer — humour wrapped around suspense, served with a biscuit and a brew.

• It bets on character over spectacle. No flash effects, no car chases — just solid acting, dry wit, and smart plotting.

What’s Next?

The BBC is reportedly filming a second season. After an Emmy, expectations are high — but so is enthusiasm. Viewers seem ready for more: more crosswords, more awkward deducing in overcoats, more vaguely British murder-solving.

If the award proves anything, it’s that British comfort-crime still has a worldwide audience. So brew a cup, sharpen a pencil, and get your thinking cap ready. Ludwig isn’t just a cozy detective show anymore — it’s a global phenomenon.

Comedy fans, brace yourselves: Gen-Z firecracker Finlay Christie is officially making his Have I Got News For Youdebut, joining the December 5th episode of the long-running satirical institution. The booking pairs him with another newcomer to the show, Green Party leader Zack Polanski, setting the stage for a fresh and energised episode of political mischief.

Christie’s rise has been anything but ordinary. He first dipped his toes into performance as a child—appearing on Blue Peter at just fourteen—and went on to become one of the youngest winners of the prestigious So You Think You’re Funnycompetition at nineteen. His ascent accelerated through online comedy, where his sharp sketches and fast-paced stand-up helped him amass a significant following across YouTube and TikTok. His brilliantly titled online specials, including parody-laden gems such as futuristic sitcom twists, have become staples for fans who crave quick, clever humour.

A defining feature of Christie’s comedy is his willingness to go straight for the jugular of modern privilege. He toys with the absurdities of class, self-image, and generational angst, often making himself the punching bag in the process. His 2024 Edinburgh Fringe show, I Deserve This, earned glowing praise for its honest, self-aware unpacking of what it means to be a young adult raised in comfort but living in chaos. Critics loved it, audiences loved it, and it cemented Christie as a comedic voice who can blend satire, sincerity, and silliness without missing a beat.

This upcoming HIGNFY appearance marks an important moment in his career. The show’s format thrives on quick-witted guests who can banter, spar, and spin absurdity out of headline news, and Christie is uniquely positioned to bring something new to the table. His generational point of view—equal parts self-mocking and culturally plugged-in—adds a modern twist to the show’s often establishment-leaning humour. Pairing him with Polanski, a figure rooted in contemporary politics, promises a dynamic that could be both entertaining and delightfully unpredictable.

Fans tuning in can expect Christie to tap into his signature blend of observational sharpness and gleeful irreverence. Whether he’s dissecting the latest political chaos, poking fun at social media culture, or skewering himself for laughs, he’s likely to give the show a dose of energy that reflects the current comedic zeitgeist. For those who’ve watched his online rise over the past few years, this appearance feels like a natural—and exciting—step into the mainstream.

So mark your calendar. On December 5th, Have I Got News For You might feel a little younger, a little sharper, and a lot more chaotic in the best possible way.

Grab your pint, sink into that familiar saggy sofa, and brace yourself: Men Behaving Badly is coming back — but not as a TV revival. Instead, the beloved 1990s sitcom is being reborn as a live stage play, written by the show’s original creator, Simon Nye.

From Sitcom Sofa to Theatre Stage

The play will debut at the Barn Theatre in Cirencester and run from January 30 to March 7, 2026. It’s directed by Joseph O’Malley, who’s made a name for himself bringing classic British comedy to the stage. The production promises a hearty hit of nostalgia, but with enough new energy to satisfy modern audiences.

A Plot Packed with Throwbacks

Rather than updating the setting to the present day, the stage version cleverly drops audiences back into New Year’s Eve, 1999, just as the characters prepare for a wedding against the backdrop of Y2K angst. Expect the familiar blend of chaos, questionable decision-making, and heartfelt friendship that defined the original show.

According to the creative team, this adaptation celebrates the spirit of the 1990s and the comforting simplicity of sitting on a sofa talking absolute rubbish — an art form Gary and Tony perfected long before it was fashionable.

Revisiting the Original Gang (Sort Of)

While no casting has been announced for the stage version, the original TV series starred Martin Clunes as Gary Strang, Neil Morrissey as Tony Smart, Caroline Quentin as Dorothy, and Leslie Ash as Deborah. Their performances were central to the show’s success, and their characters remain some of British sitcom’s most recognisable personalities.

Behind the scenes, the new production features set and costume design by Alfie Heywood, sound design by Amanda Priestley, and casting by Marc Frankum.

A Comedy That Meant Something Then — And Still Does

When Men Behaving Badly aired from 1992 to 1998, it captured the essence of the “lad culture” era. The dynamic between Gary and Tony made it both hilarious and, at times, strikingly honest. Today, the original cast have openly reflected on how some elements wouldn’t fly in modern culture. Neil Morrissey has described Tony as “misogynistic,” and Martin Clunes has said the show wouldn’t be made the same way today, given how much the social landscape has shifted.

That’s exactly why a stage version set in its original era is such a clever move. It lets audiences revisit the characters without forcing them into a modern mould, offering a space to laugh at — and learn from — the past.

Why You Might Actually Want to See It

One of the biggest draws is that the play is written by Simon Nye himself, meaning it isn’t a cheap reboot but a genuine creative extension of the original world. The charming late-90s setting adds an instant nostalgic spark, especially with the Y2K panic bubbling in the background. The chemistry and slightly chaotic energy that worked so well on television will likely translate hilariously to a live setting, where the unpredictability of theatre can only add to the fun. And for long-time fans, it offers a chance to reconnect with the characters in a way that feels both affectionate and freshly re-imagined.

If you loved the original series — or if you simply enjoy the kind of comedy where friendship, foolishness, and fondness collide — this stage adaptation might be the perfect night out.

In a plot twist so spectacularly meta that even Holly would say, “Nice one, Dave,” Red Dwarf co-creator Doug Naylor recently revealed that the now-cancelled 90-minute special was going to feature a fully CG young Dave Lister—digitally de-aged to look like Craig Charles in his early twenties.

Naylor explained that the storyline was built around Lister travelling back in time to save his 23-year-old self from stasis. The plan was for present-day Lister to go on the run with his newly liberated younger counterpart, all while dodging not one but two Rimmers—one from the current timeline and one from the past. Yes, two Rimmers. Somewhere, Kryten is still rebooting.

To avoid recasting or unsettling cloning attempts in the style of a malfunctioning Skutter, Naylor hired a visual effects specialist to create a completely CG young Lister. The results were apparently so convincing that onlookers reacted with disbelief, asking whether the footage was really computer-generated.

So Why Did the Whole Thing Get Smegged Up?

Despite a contract in place and two-thirds of the script already complete, UKTV abruptly halted development. According to Naylor, this was the result of the broadcaster deciding to step back from commissioning scripted comedy altogether—collateral damage that took Red Dwarf’s ambitious special with it.

Naylor still hopes the story may live on someday, perhaps as a novel or in the hands of another broadcaster, but the fully realised CG Lister has—at least for now—been left to float in the digital void.

Craig Charles later added further detail, saying the unmade episodes would have leaned heavily on AI and new effects tech. He described the planned visuals as jaw-dropping, the sort of effects that make you shout, “How smegging hell did they do that?!”

What We Lost in the Unmade Episode

The special would have given fans a rare treat: Lister mentoring his own younger self, crashing through time and space with both wisdom and musical incompetence intact. The dynamic promised a surprising emotional core—something halfway between a father–son story and a buddy comedy where both buddies are equally irresponsible.

Meanwhile, Rimmer’s double-presence would have created enough neurotic energy to power Red Dwarf’s backup drive for decades. And all of it would have unfolded through cutting-edge digital wizardry that pushed the show’s famously scrappy visual identity into dazzling new territory.

Even without being made, this lost episode has already slipped into Red Dwarf legend—one of those tantalising “what might have been” moments that leave fans dreaming of de-aged slobs, time-hopping mishaps, and more Rimmers than any universe should reasonably contain. If nothing else, it's comforting to know that somewhere out there, a beautifully rendered young Lister is waiting patiently in a hard drive, probably eating a virtual chicken vindaloo.

Let’s just hope he gets thawed someday.