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A grand US tradition, the format of a 'roast', is a simple one: a group of people called 'roastmasters' gather together in front of a live audience to make fun of a subject and celebrate all that is good about the 'roastee'. While the tone may seem cutting, sarcastic or salacious, at its heart, the 'roast' is in fact a genuine and affectionate celebration of the talent.

Channel 4's A Comedy Roast honours various bastions of British entertainment: Bruce Forsyth, Sharon Osbourne and Chris Tarrant formed the first batch of episodes, and later it has been the turn of Davina McCall and Barbara Windsor. Each hour long show features some of the country's finest comedic talents, as well as a selection of showbiz pals and acquaintances of the guest of honour, who each in turn deliver a humorous, irreverent, possibly rude, but always affectionate comedy tribute to the living legend.

Hosted by Jimmy Carr, A Comedy Roast features comedic talents and showbiz friends including Sean Lock, Jack Dee, Jonathan Ross, Jason Manford, Jon Culshaw, Alan Carr, Patrick Kielty and more - all of whom 'roast' different aspects of the subject's life, providing hilarious, mischievous and affectionate tributes.

Set in a glamorous ballroom, A Comedy Roast takes inspiration from the New York Friars' Club of the 1920s where the Roasts originated. Just like then, 'victims' are subjected to a mix of insults, tall tales and tributes from their friends - all taken in the best of spirits.