Beyond The Joke

Only Fools & Horses star Gwyneth Strong, who played Cassandra – Rodney’s wife – has opened a recreation of the iconic Nags Head pub today to mark the 40th anniversary of the much-loved sitcom. Gwyneth was joined by Philip Pope, who played Tony Angelino on the show, and Andree Bernard, who played barmaid Nervous Nerys.

Series one of Alma’s Not Normal begins Monday September 13th at 10pm on BBC Two.

The full series will be available on BBC iPlayer following transmission of episode one.

Alma's Not Normal follows Boltonian wild child Alma Nuthall as she tries to get her life back on track after a recent break up. But with no job, no qualifications and a rebellious streak a mile wide, it’s not going to be easy.

I'm not sure what I can add to what people who were also there have already said about Edinburgh this year except to agree. It was exceptionally chilled. It was nice not to have flyers thrust into your hand on every corner. It was also nice not to be bombarded by PRs begging critics to come to shows. If anything it was the other way round, I had to beg venues to be let in to shows as many were – understandably given the difficulties in warming up – only works-in-progress.

First up, total respect to the Gilded Balloon for putting on a real live So You Think You're Funny final in the final week of the strangest, quietest, most chilled out, Edinburgh Fringe I've ever attended.

And secondly, total respect to the ten finalists. Over 450 acts entered and this time heats had to take place via Zoom. So when it came to stepping onto the stage after MC Mark Watson's warm introductions they were doing it with minimal stage time under their belts.

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society has announced the launch of a new £7.5m fundraising campaign to help aid the long-term recovery of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

‘Save the Fringe’ will serve as a starting point for a wider Fringe revival, following the devastating impact of covid-19.