You ask the questions

(Such as: so Al Murray, what do you think of William Hague?)

Al Murray was born in Leighton Buzzard in 1968. After graduating from Oxford University with a degree in history he worked as a residential careworker in a school for children with behavioural difficulties. His character, the Pub Landlord, famous for the catchphrase "pint for the fella, glass of wine for the lady", was created in 1994 when he featured as a link in a Harry Hill show at the Edinburgh Festival. He went on to star alongside Hill on radio and TV. In 1996 Murray made his solo début at the Edinburgh Festival with a show entitled The Pub Landlord's Late Lock-in. Murray received a record four Perrier Award nominations before going on to win it last year. He recently signed a £3m deal with Sky for a new sitcom, Time Gentlemen Please, and lives in Hammersmith, west London, with his partner and daughter.

Al Murray was born in Leighton Buzzard in 1968. After graduating from Oxford University with a degree in history he worked as a residential careworker in a school for children with behavioural difficulties. His character, the Pub Landlord, famous for the catchphrase "pint for the fella, glass of wine for the lady", was created in 1994 when he featured as a link in a Harry Hill show at the Edinburgh Festival. He went on to star alongside Hill on radio and TV. In 1996 Murray made his solo début at the Edinburgh Festival with a show entitled The Pub Landlord's Late Lock-in. Murray received a record four Perrier Award nominations before going on to win it last year. He recently signed a £3m deal with Sky for a new sitcom, Time Gentlemen Please, and lives in Hammersmith, west London, with his partner and daughter.

The other night I was somewhat under the influence. After insulting all my friends I knocked over a table of drinks and then threw up. Now I feel wretched, what shall I do and how can I win my friends back? P Myersons, Cambridge At last, you are the same as them. They will now look at you in a new light, and this new-found bond of shame will sustain your friendship.

Is The Pub Landlord based on a real-life landlord. And how did you learn the skills? Elaine Gilbert, by e-mail Skills? Skills? It is above skill, it is a calling...

Madonna has recently been seen frequenting London pubs. So, are pubs the new wine bars? Peter Symes, Colchester "Been seen", that's your clue. Pubs are where we are equal.

And are pubs the new what? Wine bars? If I had a time machine I would go back in time and stop the first wine-bar manager in his foul Sade-driven, pistachio-shod tracks.

What advice would you give Euan Blair? S Winterson, by e-mail They say that stuff skips a generation. Look to your maternal grandfather for who you are mate: embrace your destiny.

Has anyone ever mistaken you for a real publican? Will Mitchell, Brighton Yes. I did a gig once for the British Guild of Beer Writers (yes I did, and yes they do) and I was offered two pubs afterwards. It seems that some of them didn't get it.

Carpets in pubs - good thing or bad thing? S Kay, by e-mail A great thing. Sticky floors take generations to build up - that circle of flies over the pool table is like family.

What is the nutritional content of beer? And is it greater or lesser than that of crisps and nuts? Marianne Waters, by e-mail They exist in symbiosis: the beer makes you hungry, and the crisps and nuts make you thirsty... next thing you know it's 11am. Bloody poetry.

What is your opinion of the recent claims made by William Hague? Could you, do you think, drink him under the table? Martine Faith, by e-mail He's a lightweight. If you're going to exaggerate, exaggerate properly. Fourteen pints... grow up, pal.

What's your best advice for nursing a hangover? P Staunton, London Nursing.

Definition of an alcoholic? Thomas Addicott, Dublin "Publican's friend."

Who is the best TV soap landlord/landlady? Why? Bethany Cooper, Oxford Frank from EastEnders. He keeps the crisps by the stairs, close at hand by the door. Top-flight snack management that.

I'm trying to shake off a pub bore. Any pithy put-downs? Maya Barbour, Suffolk Had it occurred to you that he might be trying shake you off?

I'm a lady who loves her lager, how can I pursue my pleasure without seeming uncouth? Jane Sinclair, by e-mail A dash of lime, sweetheart. Rules is rules.

Al Murray's new sitcom, 'Time Gentlemen Please', starts on Sky One, 11 Sept, at 10.30pm