The Catherine Tate Show

Part simple comedy, part biting satire, this sketch series serves to underline Tate's versatility and dazzling aptitude for inhabiting the skin of a wide-ranging cast of characters.

We're now going to attempt something unprecedented, but long called for. We're going to write about The Catherine Tate Show without reference to a certain catchphrase containing a word with the letters "b", "v" and "v". When Tony Blair says a catchphrase on TV, you know it's time to move on.

Instead, let us sing the praises of foul-mouthed granny Nan Taylor, the definitely heterosexual Derek Faye, and Janice and Ray - the couple on a quest to purge Britain of such inexplicable foodstuffs as sushi, gazpacho soup and brie sandwiches which contain grapes.

Tate herself is such a disconcertingly good actor and mimic that it's tempting to believe she's not a human being at all. More of an unhinged alien shapeshifter who for some reason has landed a BBC sketch show. We're onto you Tate, if that is your real name.

She's now held in awe by other comedy queens like Dawn French, but Catherine Tate actually started off as a serious actor - she even did a stint with the Royal Shakespeare Company. In fact, she still claims that treading the boards is her first passion, despite creating some of the most freakishly memorable sketch show characters you could ever want.