I first saw Jack Lukeman back in the late nineties in a place called the Da Club in Dublin. For a brief period it was a comedy club every Saturday from ten 'til twelve and then as the revellers from all the surrounding pubs came in for a late drink Jack would take to the stage with his band The Black Hearts performing a set of mostly Jacque Brel songs sometimes joined by the beautifully sultry Camille O' Sullivan. It was cabaret at it's best. Jack took to the stage like a matador able to control even the most feral of audiences. Always dressed to the nines he gave a tour de force performance full of drama and passion and always a little tongue in cheek. His talent and ability to perform have not waned over the years and he has gained a gaggle (they are not geese but I like the alliteration) of loyal fans worldwide since those early days. Ooops, did I mention the voice? Oh just listen!

Bernard O'Shea is a stand up comedian, actor, writer and radio presenter of tremendous talent. He wears an outrageously fulsome beard and can play traditional music both of which facts are surely somehow not unconnected. He called in to the studio to chat to me about his varied career in the entertainment industry and underwater archaeology. Bernard has co-written and co-stars in an upcoming RTE sitcom based on the Republic Of Telly characters Bridget and Eamonn. He also gave some sound advice on how to win an Oscar. I'm not joking, it is actually good advice.

Michael Redmond is best known for playing Father Stone in Father Ted. He is also an accomplished stand up comedian and hosts a weekly show in The Stand Comedy Club in Glasgow where he now lives. Michael began his career as a writer for Irish radio and television, before moving to London and launching a successful stand-up career in 1987. His live show Eamon, Older Brother of Jesus was adapted for a BBC Radio 4series, but scrapped on the decision of the station's new Scottish Catholic controller. After his work on Father Ted, he continued to appear in projects as diverse as Brass Eye and Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle. He came up to my hotel room on a wet Friday afternoon in Edinburgh for a chat.