The BBC has just green-lit a one-off comedy-drama titled But When We Dance — and yes, the headline is exactly what you think: real laughs, real heart, and real life all wrapped into one 90-minute film.

Here’s the deal: Oscar-winning director John Madden (yes, the Shakespeare in Love guy) is behind the camera, while the cast features the ever-elegant Laura Linney and the wonderfully eccentric Rhys Ifans. They’re playing Emma Dretzin — a pianist, composer, and single mum of two — and Tony Evans, a deputy head at a primary school. On one strangely synchronised morning, both are given a Parkinson’s diagnosis. Yep. Parkinson’s. Same morning.

The story comes from writer Paul Mayhew-Archer, who actually lives with Parkinson’s himself. He was diagnosed in 2011 and decided that if he can’t beat it, he’ll make art (and jokes) out of it. In his own words:

“So, thank you Parkinson’s. My fingers may fumble, my mouth may mumble and each step I take may result in a stumble. But I cannot grumble.”

And yes, there is dancing (or at least the idea of it) involved — the BBC teases a story of “a great sense of humour, a love of dance, and Parkinson’s.”

Why this matters — besides being a bold genre-mash-up of “life throws you a curve-ball” meets “let’s swivel on it anyway”:

• It’s authentic — Mayhew-Archer’s own lived experience gives it real emotional weight.

• It’s tonally daring — comedy, drama, and illness in one story is no small feat, but Linney and Ifans can absolutely pull it off.

• It’s uplifting — the emphasis seems to be on humour, resilience, and connection rather than despair.

Filming is underway in North Norfolk, a backdrop that promises English charm against the inner turbulence of diagnosis. There’s no confirmed broadcast date yet, but it’s expected to premiere on BBC One as a single 90-minute special.

In short: If you’ve ever wondered what happens when two strangers share a diagnosis and decide to dance through it — literally — But When We Dance might just become the most unexpectedly joyful TV moment of the year.

So, bring your tissues and your tap shoes. Because this might be the first Parkinson’s drama that leaves you smiling through the tears.

Hold on to your festive jumpers, because just when you thought Christmas telly had done all the surprises, along comes the mother of all reunions. The BBC has confirmed that the hit sitcom spin-off Amandaland will deliver a Christmas special — and yes, you read that right — Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley are back together again for the first time in nearly a decade. The queens of British comedy are about to sprinkle a little Ab Fab magic over South Harlesden.

The setup

In the new festive episode, Joanna Lumley reprises her role as Felicity — the glamorous, slightly unmoored mum of Amanda ­(played by Lucy Punch) — while Jennifer Saunders joins the cast as Aunt Joan: Felicity’s country-living, enthusiastic, upper-class-bluster sister. The BBC describes Joan as “a ball of country-living, enthusiastic upper-class bluster — very, very different from Felicity.” Translation: expect sibling sniping, Prosecco, and possibly an argument about Aga temperatures.

Why this matters

For fans of Absolutely Fabulous, this is seismic. Saunders and Lumley last appeared together on screen in the 2016 Ab Fab movie, and before that, in the original 1990s series as the iconic Edina and Patsy. To see them reunited — this time as sparring sisters in a suburban satire — feels like Christmas has come early, wrapped in sequins and sarcasm.

What we know so far

Amandaland’s Christmas special is due to air in 2025, ahead of Series 2 in 2026. Production is already underway, and Saunders has said she’s “delighted to be joining the fabulous Amandaland gang for a Christmas special. Playing Joanna’s on-screen sister is guaranteed to be a laugh — who doesn’t love a family reunion SoHa style?”

That’s right — SoHa (South Harlesden) is back, and things are about to get delightfully chaotic. Between Amanda’s attempts to hold together her middle-class empire and Felicity and Joan’s sparkling rivalry, we’re expecting mulled wine, misplaced dignity, and perhaps a minor explosion involving a fondue set.

What to expect

Two sisters. One SoHa Christmas. Zero chill.
If you’re craving a dose of British wit, familial dysfunction, and just a hint of Champagne-fuelled nostalgia, this might be the most fabulous thing on telly this festive season.

In short: it’s Ab Fab energy, repackaged for 2025 — and darling, it’s absolutely fabulous.

Hold the forceps, clear the birthing pool, and cue the laugh track: comedian-writer Jessica Knappett has officially delivered a brand-new sitcom for BBC One. Titled Push, the show is set in the chaotic world of a rural maternity ward, where midwives juggle miracle-making with NHS-grade chaos – and somehow still find time for gossip and caffeine.

What’s it about? Picture a scruffy, underfunded maternity unit in West Yorkshire. The staff are knackered, the building’s falling apart, and the miracle of birth happens roughly every 20 minutes. Yet despite the madness, this is a story about the people who keep it all running – delivering babies by day, cracking jokes by night, and occasionally taking a disco nap in the sluice room.

According to the BBC, Push is “a laugh out loud celebration of the chaotic, high-stakes reality of pulling off a miracle several times a day. It’s blood, sweat and (third degree) tears.” So yes, there will be bodily fluids. And yes, it’s still a comedy.

Knappett – best known for creating Drifters and cracking up the Taskmaster panel – is stepping into the role of creator and showrunner. She says the idea for Push came after her own real-life childbirth experiences: “Ever since I gave birth to my own children, I knew I wanted to birth a show about midwives. Thankfully this process has been a lot less painful and I didn’t need stitches.”

The show is the first commission to come out of the BBC’s Comedy Sitcom Initiative – a project launched to revive the classic workplace sitcom with fresh voices and original stories. Of six writers’ rooms funded, Knappett’s idea was first out of the (birthing) pool. It’s being produced by Various Artists Ltd, the company behind other BBC comedies like Such Brave Girls and Spent.

The first series of Push will consist of six 30-minute episodes, airing on BBC One and iPlayer. Casting is still under wraps and there’s no broadcast date yet, but filming is expected to begin in 2025.

In a rare moment of candour, BBC execs admitted they’ve “been looking for a high-joke-rate workplace comedy for a while now” – and it seems Push has delivered.

So if you’re into scrubs, sarcasm and the screaming miracle of life, keep an eye out for Push. It promises to be the kind of sitcom that balances heart, humour, and the odd haemorrhage.

Hold onto your sat‑navs and tightly-fastened rucksacks — our favourite four social outcasts might be returning to screens. Yep, The Inbetweeners is being lined up for a comeback, as creators Iain Morris and Damon Beesley have signed a new production deal that “paves the way” for more adventures with Will, Simon, Jay and Neil.

The deal, struck through their company Fudge Park and backed by production giant Banijay UK, opens the door for a return across TV, film, or even stage formats. So whether it’s Will awkwardly teaching in a classroom or Jay running a motivational speaking tour for bus wankers, it’s all technically on the table.

And there’s more: the original cast — Simon Bird, Joe Thomas, James Buckley and Blake Harrison — are reportedly on board with the idea. Joe Thomas has said they’re still in each other’s lives and would be keen if the right project came along. So yes, the band’s still together.

The original series aired from 2008 to 2010 and became a cult hit, later spawning two films in 2011 and 2014. A full decade later, in an era dominated by nostalgia-fuelled reboots, it seems the time is ripe for a new spin — if they can figure out how to do it.

Here’s the snag: no one’s confirmed how the show will come back. And with the original cast now firmly in their late 30s, there’s little chance of them convincingly squeezing back into school uniforms. Even Simon Bird joked that no one would buy them as teenagers now, and a reunion could end up feeling more “depressing” than nostalgic.

Still, if the creators embrace the gang as chaotic, barely-functioning adults rather than try to recreate teenage chaos, there’s real comedy potential. Imagine Will navigating middle management, Jay still lying about his love life, Simon battling co-parenting drama, and Neil… still being Neil. Done right, it could be comedy gold. Done wrong, it could be another “reunion special” best left forgotten.

Conclusion

The Inbetweeners might be returning thanks to a new deal, with the original cast interested. Format still unknown, expectations sky-high, and nostalgia levels through the roof. Proceed with cautious optimism — and maybe don’t dig out your briefcase just yet.

Imagine your favourite stand-up comics trading in punchlines for powerbombs — yes, really — because that’s exactly what Clash Of The Comics is about to deliver. This gloriously unhinged hybrid of comedy and wrestling is set to air as a 160-minute special on U and U&Dave, bringing chaos from the ring straight to your sofa.

The show, originally conceived as The Wrestling and performed live at the Edinburgh Fringe, was created by comedy duo Max & Ivan. It’s a no-holds-barred (but very scripted) showdown where comedians transform into wrestlers, complete with rivalries, backstories, ridiculous costumes, and more drama than a group chat on a hen do.

Recorded on 8 October 2025 at the Hammersmith Apollo, the event features a jam-packed card of comedians and pro wrestlers grappling for glory, dignity, and possibly a chance to go viral on TikTok.

At the top of the bill: Ed “The Gambler” Gamble vs. Phil “Kill” Wang, facing off over a championship belt and a long-simmering grudge that definitely isn’t just an elaborate in-joke. James Acaster, never one to be left out of a good existential crisis or physical challenge, has issued an “open challenge” to anyone brave enough to meet him in the ring. Presumably, that includes other comics, actual wrestlers, or possibly the inner demons he’s been taunting for years.

Elsewhere, Maisie Adam is set to battle professional wrestler Nina Samuels, which feels a bit like bringing a well-crafted anecdote to a suplex fight — but this is Clash Of The Comics, and logic checked out at the door.

The event also features appearances from Rosie Jones, Ania Magliano, Abi Clarke, Amy Gledhill, Sarah Keyworth, Max Fosh, Mark Silcox, and of course, Max & Ivan themselves.

Ringside commentary will be provided by Greg James, Sara Pascoe and Nish Kumar — because nothing says "sporting credibility" like someone shouting “Oh no!” while holding a flat white. Backstage interviews and hype will come courtesy of Olga Koch and Matthew Crosby, while the host with the most (stress) is Ivo Graham. And in a move that raises both eyebrows and expectations, Joe Lycett is now storyline CEO of Clash Of The Comics. Whether this means he’s also responsible for health and safety forms remains unconfirmed.

So what can viewers expect? Think: ludicrous entrances, exaggerated rivalries, sketch-like interludes, actual wrestling moves (mostly safe ones), and the kind of over-the-top drama that could only happen when comedians take kayfabe very seriously.

It’s part theatre, part wrestling, part sketch show — and it’s all designed to be both entertaining and slightly alarming. If it sounds mad, that’s because it is. And that’s the point.

Viewers outside the UK and Ireland can also watch it via pay-per-view, ensuring the madness doesn’t stop at the border.

So whether you’re here for the laughs or the lariats, Clash Of The Comics is shaping up to be the most spectacularly strange night of television you didn’t know you needed.

Honestly, if your favourite comedians body-slamming each other on prime time doesn’t save 2025, what will?