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Matt Lucas fronts first radio comedy series since Little Britain

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2 listeners are set for some comedy treats as Matt Lucas, Jason Byrne and Claudia Winkleman head up shows on the network.

Little Britain star Matt Lucas is back on Radio 2 with a new comedy chat show, And The Winner Is, following his recent documentary on the network, Not Letting It Be.

To be broadcast later this year, And The Winner Is finds Matt and guests handing out the most prestigious awards of the year, 'The Lucases'.

Each week Matt welcomes three funny guests on to the show to nominate people, places, songs, films and every other kind of thing for 'The Lucases', handed out to the best, worst, funniest, ugliest and scariest – as well at every other possible superlative – before Matt decides on the winner of the coveted award.

Matt says: "I'm looking forward to recording the shows. Radio 2 give me a nice chair to sit on and a glass of water, so I'm very happy."

Lucas is no stranger to radio comedy as he co-wrote and starred in Little Britain, which originated on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 and won a Sony Silver award. Matt is once again re-united with his Little Britain radio producer, Ashley Blaker, who produces And The Winner Is.

Little Britain went on to be one of the most successful comedy series of all time, initially broadcasting on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Three, progressing to Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔΒ Two, and finally arriving on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One.

Matt is also set to return with his old chums Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer to Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two later this year for a brand new series of Shooting Stars.

Following on from his hit series last year, energetic Irish comic Jason Byrne returns to Radio 2 on Thursday 23 July with a new six-part second series of his fast-paced, lively stand-up comedy and sketch show – The Jason Byrne Show.

Having just completed a sell out at the Edinburgh Fringe, this new series sees Jason tackle themes including food, drink, travel and animals in his own lightning-quick improvisational style.

Lewis Carnie, Head of Programmes, Radio 2 and 6 Music, says: "I'm very excited about Radio 2's fantastic offering of comedy this summer with both new and returning series.

"Radio 2 has a rich history of comedy from both established and new stars and, with such a wonderfully talented bunch on the station, listeners will be in for a real treat."

Currently on air on Thursday evenings at 10.00pm, Claudia Winkleman hosts the second series of the topical celebrity-based panel show Hot Gossip.

Each week Claudia is joined by three witty gossipmongers who compete against each other in rounds designed to unleash a torrent of celebrity-fuelled opinion. There are no right or wrong answers to the questions, instead Claudia has the deciding vote on which gossipmonger she deems to be the funniest.

Claudia is also Radio 2's resident arts show presenter on Friday evenings from 10.00pm to midnight and will be broadcasting her show live from the Latitude Festival on Friday 17 July.

Hot Gossip goes out on Thursday evenings at 10.00pm until 16 July.

The Jason Byrne Show starts Thursday 23 July at 10.00pm and runs for six weeks.

And The Winner Is is due to go out later this year.

Radio 2 Publicity