Part of relaunched Radio 4 Extra

Rufus Hound is to host a weekly round-up of comedy news on Radio 4 Extra, when the new digital channel launches next month.

What's So Funny? will be a half-hour magazine show on the former Radio 7, which debuts at 10am on April 8.

Hound joked: ‘There are so many programmes that give a weekly round up of everything in the world of comedy; it’s hard to know how we’ll really differentiate ourselves. Well, let me ask you this question - when was the last time you heard news about Jimmy Carr being read by a man who can bench press almost 100 kilograms? Well, tell your future self to stop worrying, I’m on my way.’

Radio 7 rebrands as Radio 4 Extra on April 2, and will maintain the Comedy Club strand of late-night comedy six nights a week, but with new presenters. Andi Osho will host on Sundays, Arthur Smith Mondays to Thursdays, and a guest comedian every Friday. The slot is currently hosted by Alex Riley and Phil Williams.

Smith said: ‘Having worked a lot on Radio 4 it seems only right to do Radio 4 Extra. I shall enjoy listening to some prime radio comedy, some of which I know and some of which I'm looking forward to hearing for the first time – and maybe nicking the best jokes from. I shall also enjoy catching up with fellow comics and wearing some silly hats.’

Osho will also host a new 15-minute Preview Show for Radio 4 Extra called Sneeky Peeks.

Other previously-announced comedy shows for the rebranded station include expanded 45-minute versions of The Now Show and The News Quiz every Friday night, and premieres of new comedy series before they transfer to Radio 4 – kicking off with the third series of Arthur Smith’s Balham Bash.

Published: 18 Mar 2011