Victoria Wood’s stand-up was so funny because it was based on a recognisable truth and expressed so well. It looked effortless – a sure sign that the eventual performance was the result of painstaking hard work. [Adverts]

The death has been announced of comedienne Victoria Wood. She had recently been diagnosed with cancer. No further details have yet been revealed. Victoria Wood had her first break on the Esther Rantzen show – a popular Saturday night light ...

The newspapers are full of royal news today – the eve of Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday. Tucked alongside coverage of the sovereign’s longevity is material on the next generations: unusually, the monarch and her next three direct heirs are ...