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From Monday 4 July, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Entertainment launches a brand new nightly strand of rib tickling comedy greatness from the UK. The Home of British Comedy takes over on week nights from Monday to Thursday at 22.00 and showcases the very best in British comedy.

Showcasing the best from the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s recent comedy hits, The Home of British Comedy introduces Britain's most exciting stand up stars in Live At the Apollo. The programme is filmed live from the famous Apollo Theatre in London and each episode is hosted by a special guest, with Michael McIntyre, Al Murray ('The Pub Landlord'), Sean Lock, Dara O'Briain, Lenny Henry and Russell Howard all making appearances as host. Live At the Apollo starts Monday 4th July at 22.00 and plays out every Monday and Thursday night at the same time.

Following on at 22.45 on Monday 4th July, one of the UK's most celebrated comic actors brings his live show to TV screens in Rowan Atkinson Live. Best known to television audiences in his roles in the smash hit comedies Mr Bean and Blackadder, Rowan Atkinson's one man show showcases the comedy actor and writer’s huge talent in a series of hilarious sketches in front of a live theatre audience.
Tuesdays at 22.00 from 5th July play host to The Graham Norton Show. The cheeky Irish funny man brings his eighth series to the channel and brings with him some brilliant guests. Faces to look out for in this series include: Colin Farrell, Rihanna, Keanu Reeves, Jack Black, Kate Hudson, Vince Vaughn and Bradley Cooper among others.

Also starting on 5th July is the territory premiere of three new series of comedy panel show QI. Chaired by the legendary Stephen Fry (Blackadder, A Bit of Fry & Laurie) and starring regular panellist Alan Davies (Jonathan Creek), QI is the comedy quiz show that awards points for being ‘quite interesting’ regardless of whether they are correct or even relevant, while heavy penalties are imposed for those that are ‘obvious’ but wrong. Packed with surprising information and gleefully overturning common wisdom, QI is the sort of show that may cause viewers to wonder why they ever bothered going to school.

From 6th July, Wednesdays at 22.00 will see new British comedy superstar Michael McIntyre host his own touring stand up show. Filmed in theatres across the UK, Michael brings the best comedians in the country to a different city each episode to perform in front of a live audience. Big names in the series include 2010 Fosters' Comedy Award winning Russell Kane, Canadian king of the one-liners Stewart Francis, Welsh comedy wonder Rhod Gilbert and Edinburgh Festival Fringe favourite Mark Watson.

So impress your friends by being the first in the comedy know with ´óÏó´«Ã½ Entertainment's Home of British Comedy every Monday to Thursday at 22.00.

Lucy Groom