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Sarah Millican was named Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2008

Sarah Millican laughs her way into the record books

Sarah Millican's remarkable rise to the pinnacle of British comedy hit another milestone yesterday as it emerged that her debut DVD has become the best selling of any female comedian.

Ricky Gervais' bad day at the office

For a man who admits he is 'one false move away from Jim Davidson', his latest schtick is either career suicide – or PR genius

It's the way they tell them: a comic's guide to the art of handling hecklers

A new book celebrates the long and inglorious tradition of stand-ups' put-downs. Adam Sherwin learns from the masters

No funny business: Jongleurs seeks serious investors for float

Jongleurs has plans for 30 UK franchises, a growth in its internet TV and expansion overseas

Canada ban upsets Russell Brand

Officials refused to allow Russell Brand into Canada on Saturday for a stand-up show. Brand, barred by Japan in May over his convictions for criminal damage and indecent exposure, complained: "We must abolish the borders between our nations and our minds."

Riches lives up to his name with comedy prize

A show of 'barely controlled chaos' wins the £10,000 award – and guaranteed fame – for Adam Riches at the Edinburgh Festival

The 'best' joke at the Edinburgh Comedy Festival, according to 3,000 fans

He is a vitriolic stand-up who screams at his audiences – and today he has something to shout about after winning the best joke award at the Edinburgh Comedy Festival.

Helen Lederer: 'I've been called the supply teacher of comedy. It could be worse'

Edinburgh-bound for the first time in eight years, comedy's nearly woman says she's just glad she still has a role to play. Andrew McCorkell meets Helen Lederer

Heard the one about the posh comedian? You will

The new wave at the Fringe don't hide where their best lines came from

The Inbetweeners Movie: When comedy takes a break

It's a path well-travelled, from TV sitcom to holiday movie. Will those Crete-bound 'Inbetweeners' make the trip more successfully than their predecessors? Matt Chorley investigates

My Edinburgh hell

Veteran comics of the Fringe recall some of the gigs they would rather forget

McIntyre hurt by 'nasty' remarks of fellow comics on awards night

The comedian Michael McIntyre has told how a career-capping night of triumph descended into "nastiness" that left him feeling wretched at an awards event in January.

Copycat comic capers

Jim Tavaré and Sid Bowfin are bald, wear tails and play stringed instruments. But it's no joke, says Tavaré, who is fighting back

Day In a Page

Picture preview: Last days of the Arctic

Last days of the Arctic

Photographs of “a society in its twilight”
How six would-be record-breakers ended up in seriously deep water

In deep water

Container ship saves crew cast adrift on life rafts after their Atlantic crossing turns into a scramble for survival
Police watchdog admitted system was ineffective

Police watchdog admitted system was ineffective

Revelation comes after Independent investigation into deaths in police custody
Stalemate at UN on resolution urging Assad to go

Stalemate at UN on resolution urging Assad to go

A defiant Russia resists intense pressure from the West and several Arab countries
Syria is used to the slings and arrows of friends and enemies

Syria is used to the slings and arrows of friends and enemies

Bashar al-Assad is clinging to power despite the slow growth of a civil war
QPR big spenders as Zamora and Cissé join

QPR big spenders as Zamora and Cissé join

...while Harry Redknapp is up to his old tricks again with day of movement at Tottenham
James Lawton: Time has come for the game to tear down its last taboo

James Lawton: Football's last taboo

A new documentary about the tragic death of Justin Fashanu is a powerful reminder of a prejudice that still shames British football
Graham Rowntree: 'Scotland will be licking their lips'

Graham Rowntree interview

The England coach says home side will be favourites on Saturday due to red rose side's 'unspeakable past'
Bed and breakfast – and yoga and cookery

Bed and breakfast – and yoga and cookery

The British B&B has undergone a transformation
Lakshadweep: All quiet on India's secret islands

All quiet on India's secret islands

Part of the same marine mountain range as the Maldives, the Lakshadweep archipelago offers idyllic scenery minus crowds
Around the world in 1,000 destinations

Around the world in 1,000 destinations

Plus the three locations that are the cream of the globe-trotting crop
The 10 Best travel DVDs

The 10 Best travel DVDs

From Mexico and motorcycles to the Mosquito Coast
Adventures with a lost Nick Drake recording

Lost Nick Drake record

And the lucky 167 people who heard it
Independent blogger rescued after boat overturns in Atlantic

Independent blogger capsizes

See the progress of the Sara G in pictures
Should we let children run wild?

Should we let children run wild?

Experiences and expectations of an ideal childhood