...and Julian Barratt unveils a new character. A tight 5: Jan 20

Piff The Magic Dragon and his chihuahua sidekick Mr Piffles have moved to Las Vegas for a year-long residency as part of the Vegas Nocturne lineup at the new $12.8 million Rose. Rabbit. Lie venue. He will perform up to three shows a night, with tickets for the main shows priced from $115. Impresario Ross Mollison said: 'The infrastructural complexity of housing and feeding a misanthropic magic dragon and entourage is kinda complicated and probably not worth it, but we did it anyway as the dog is friendly. I hope we don’t regret bringing Piff to Vegas.'

JULIAN BARRATT is working on a new character, a 'relaxation guru' called Jon Breeze. The Boosh star is delivering his 'one-on-one love blasts' in a show at the Soho Theatre in London next Monday. It's billed as 'a night of mood-buoyancy and dynamic bliss featuring some very special guests'.

STEPHEN K AMOS's stand-up series Life: An Idiot's Guide is to return to Radio 4 for a second series, with four new episodes being recorded in London next month. See our free tickets page to be in the studio audience.

Jon Richardson, Shappi Khorsandi and Jimeoin have all announced spring tours. Click on each name for the dates.

STAND-UP Dan Nightingale has become a columnist o the Lancashire Evening Post. In his first article, published today, he wrote: 'I’m pleased as punch. It’s the much-loved publication that I doggedly delivered come rain or shine, ice or lethargy, on my evening paper round circa 1993-1996.'

Published: 20 Jan 2014