Comedian and actor Stephen Mangan yesterday announced via Twitter that BBC detective series Dirk Gently has been axed by the BBC.

Stephen – who also stars in Episodes alongside Matt Le Blanc – tweeted, “It gives me no pleasure whatsoever to report that the BBC have decided not to make any more.”

The series features Stephen in the role of the title character – who was created by Douglas Adams – and around a million of us watched the pilot episode when it aired on BBC4 a year ago… Read more & comment »

Stephen Mangan – who stars in The Comic Strip Presents and US comedy, Episodes – has revealed that he didn’t join the Footlights comedy group at Cambridge University as he found the members “unwelcoming.”

Of the Footlights amateur group, which boasts a number of big name stars in their history, such as Stephen Fry, John Cleese and Peter Cook, Stephen said, “It was so cliquey and they were so unwelcoming that I just decided not to bother.”

He added that during his university days, he hadn’t planned on becoming a comedian. He said, “I always wanted to be a great classical actor.”

However, he went on to reveal that he still has very fond memories of his time as a student… Read more & comment »

Comedian and actor Stephen Mangan has revealed that he hopes former Prime Minister Tony Blair sees his depiction of him in the Comic Strip Presents film, ‘The Hunt for Tony Blair’.

Of the show, Stephen said it is “a fugitive film noir spoof retelling of some of the Tony Blair story”.

And while speaking to the PA, Stephen also revealed that he approached the role of Blair in a certain way because it was a comedy.

He said, “If I was playing Blair in a drama, he wouldn’t be anything like as camp as I’ve played him.”

And as to what attributes of Blair’s that Stephen enjoyed playing, he said, “His utter self-belief that nothing is ever his fault, ability to always be in the right and come up, at least in his own mind, smelling of roses.”

Of the prospect of Blair watching the show, Stephen said, “I’m sure he has a sense of humour so I hope he does… Read more & comment »

The Daily Mirror today reports that former Doctor Who actor David Tennant will co-star alongside Rupert Grint, Jim Broadbent and Stephen Mangan in a movie version of children’s TV show, Postman Pat.

Mangan will reportedly be the voice of Pat in the 3D CGI feature-length animation, but it’s not yet been revealed which roles the other stars will play.

Grint said, “Postman Pat is one of those British symbols – you are totally familiar with him even if you’ve never watched it.”

And Jim Broadbent, who won the best supporting actor Oscar in 2001 for his role in Iris, added, “I’m excited to be involved with such an iconic figure.”
The paper adds, “In the film, the village postie enters a TV talent show competition. It will be released in early 2013.” Read more & comment »

It’s a sight not many people would willing view, but it seems we’re about to see Margaret Thatcher seducing and bedding Tony Blair…

But fortunately, it’s a fictional hook up between the two former Prime Ministers, who’ll be played by Stephen Mangan and Jennifer Saunders for new Channel 4 comedy show, ‘The Hunt for Tony Blair’.

The Daily Mirror states that in one scene of the new show, Mrs Thatcher is featured lying on a chaise longue as she flirts with Blair, saying, “I won my war… you didn’t.”

Later the highly unlikely couple are shown in bed smoking cigarettes. Read more & comment »

Matt LeBlanc has finally signed on the dotted line to return for a second series of BBC hit, ‘Episodes’, The Sun reports today.

The Friends actor, 43, was last to come on board after his Brit co-stars Tamsin Greig and Stephen Mangan earlier said yes.

Read more & comment »