The old jokers are always the best

To the Chortle Awards, held at Café de Paris last night, where Alan Simpson and his writing partner Ray Galton, both in their eighties, were honoured with a lifetime achievement award.

Harry Enfield, presenting the award, said Galton and Simpson had “pushed the boundaries before the phrase was ever invented”, with comedies including Hancock’s Half Hour and Steptoe and Son. Alan Simpson proved he’s still got comic timing. Stepping up to collect the award, he said: “There are so many people to thank. Unfortunately they’re all dead.”