RED DWARF XII

DAVE, 9pm

This off-the-wall cult comedy, which had a hit revival last year, now moves into its 12th series.

You’re either a long-time cheerleader of the show or not, but for fans it’s a joy to see original cast members Chris Barrie (Rimmer), Craig Charles (Lister), Danny John-jules (Cat) and Robert Llewellyn (Kryten) still having a ball on set.

And why wouldn’t they? It’s essentially four blokes messing around, pretending to be spacemen. Not a bad way to earn a crust.

In this opening episode, after trying to fix Starbug’s faulty steering, the crew come across a Scientific Research Centre where several figures from history have been recreated in the present and “cured” of evil.

This leads to an awkward dinner party, with guests including Joseph Stalin, Vlad the Impaler and Adolf Hitler (“Please, call me ‘Dolfy’”). Dolfy also makes a lovely choux pastry, we’re told. But have they really been cured of evil?

GIG-GLE ‘Dolfy’ and Lister