PICK OF THE DAY

COUNT ARTHUR STRONG, 8.30PM, BBC1

IN ANOTHER very funny episode, Michael (Rory Kinnear) appears on a Radio 4 arts show to promote his new book, but fails to mention Arthur (Steve Delaney), much to the Count’s consternation. And so with his friend in a huff, Michael is forced to grant him three wishes to make it up to him. The first two are easy enough, after all a cup of tea and some toast is no problem, but the third takes Michael out of his ‘crumpet zone’ as Arthur demands that he be driven to Sheffield to be reunited with his old friend and former bandmate John, who is brilliantly played by Radio 4 stalwart John Shuttleworth (pictured far right, with Delaney). The two make such a great comedy pairing that you wonder why they haven’t been on screen together before . . .