Blimey, that was quick. Barely an hour after the announcement, Sir Fred Goodwin's Wikipedia entry was headed "Fred Goodwin". It looked so bare. Without that all-important Sir, Francis Drake and Walter Raleigh were just historical geezers not heroes. The contraction "Fred" in "Sir Fred" sounded cool; Fred Goodwin just sounds like a bloke down the bookie's.

Richard Hopkins embraced the age of reality television. He steered Big Brother to both fame and infamy before launching Strictly Come Dancing, then took that format to the US and more than 30 other countries as Dancing with the Stars. The idea of teaming celebrities with professional ballroom dancers to impress judges and viewers caught on quickly after the BBC first screened Strictly Come Dancing in 2004.

Pompoms and marching batons took centre stage in London as more than 8,000 performers took part in the annual New Year's Day Parade.

Stop me when you've guessed what I'm describing. "The hooked nose, the thick lips, the swarthy complexion, the curly black hair, and piercing dark eyes..." Got it yet? I'll go on. "Every traditional feature of the Jewish face was there in most marked and pronounced character."

The international success of hit shows including Doctor Who and Sherlock saw the BBC's commercial arm post record profits last year. The strong performance also meant that the head of the division's total pay packet overtook that of the Director-General.

The BBC's commercial wing has reported record revenue and profits, leading to a rise of more than 8% in the amount being ploughed back into BBC programmes in the past year.

After nearly 70 years in showbusiness, and more than five decades bringing relentless cheer to television viewers, Bruce Forsyth is to become a knight.

Ann Widdecombe is enjoying getting her own back on 'Strictly Come Dancing' judge Craig Revel Horwood.

If you've seen the mirthless chav-baiting video for "I Wanna Baby" which, seven years since Vicky Pollard, fails on every conceivable level, you've already got Funny Times' number.

Strictly Come Dancing star Matt Baker has become favourite to take over as The One Show host after Jason Manford quit over his online "flirting" with fans.

The Business Secretary Vince Cable today confirmed his intention to star in a Christmas edition of Strictly Come Dancing.

"Ann Widdecombe is up for a laugh and seems to be enjoying herself. She is being very entertaining – light entertainment harms no one."