Jangling puns, cheap gags and brazen one-liners flew so thick and fast at the Basement Bar last night it was a wonder no one was injured.

Grinning stand-up Tim Vine brought a suitcase full of props and a brain packed with more jokes than a Christmas cracker factory.

The sharply-dressed TV star went down a storm with the mixed crowd. Heck, everyone could have brought their granny as there wasn't a swear word in sight.

Vine has a charming innocence and childish delight behind his simple gags that echoes some of Tommy Cooper's most memorable moments. He's got a line for every occasion and when the clusters of quick-fire wit run out, he falls back on a sack full of wacky visual props and a sideline in jaunty nonsense songs.

Bringing up the rear was support man, sorry, special guest star, John Archer, who is a writer for The Sketch Show, featuring Vine, that returns to ITV tomorrow. His magic tricks and cheeky banter went down a storm.

Come back old-fashioned, joke-telling entertainment. All is forgiven.

Updated: 09:47 Saturday, June 28, 2003