One Foot in the Grave News

AS well as playing Merlin's kindly mentor in the hit BBC series, Richard Wilson is fulfilling a lifelong dream of playing Malvolio, which means, writes James Rampton , he is far too happy to ever use that catchphrase THERE is a corner of France that is forever Britain.

Rifleman Philip Allen, from 2nd Battalion the Rifles who died on Saturday in Afghanistan serving with A Company, 4th Battalion the Rifles.

Arabian Nights will be the first family show to be staged at the Royal Shakespeare Company's Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. Directed by Dominic Cooke, Artistic Director of the Royal Court Theatre, the production will run from December 5 to January 30.

You can do today's quiz crossword in two ways. Either print out the file below and fill it in with a pen, or click on our special link to let you fill in the grid online.

In an age when many TV shows seem to feature a chef waxing lyrical about the art of cooking, there's a good bet that without Keith Floyd, many of them would never have made it on to TV in the first place.

CELEBRATED Shakespeare actor Antony Sher and TV star Stephanie Street are among the famous names heading to The Crucible theatre's first season after its massive refurbishment.

Comedians now have the power to make or break TV channels, ad campaigns, book launches, even West End shows.

TV comedy actor Richard Wilson has agreed to become an associate director of Sheffield Theatres and will direct a play at the Crucible next year.

ONE Foot In The Grave star Richard Wilson is one of the new faces set to lead Sheffield Theatres into an exciting new future.

SHE may be the star of one of Britain's best-loved sitcoms, but Annette Crosbie's life is often far from glamorous.

In the early 20th Century, the Suffragette movement fought and campaigned to give women independence and the vote, but what has modern woman done with this privilege? They've made Hope Springs , what a waste.

NEW BBC drama Hope Springs hits our screens this week with those involved believing the real star of the show is the setting...Wanlockhead. Filming took place for the show last August with stars including former ER actress Alex Kingston, Cutting It favourite Sian Reeves, Christine Bottomley and Vinette Robinson.

I AM early for Annette Crosbie and so walk round the block, passing some graffiti, American-style, that I imagine must preoccupy the curtain-twitchers but not her, the distinguished actress.