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As a prelude to the Edinburgh Comedy Festival, Jerry Hall presents an insightful exploration into the art of making people laugh in The Art Of Laughter on ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio 2.

Jerry returns to Radio 2 on Tuesday 11 August at 10.30pm with this hour-long documentary, after previously exploring the topic of love in Aspects Of Love, which aired on Valentine's Day last year.

Jerry says: "Most of us don't realise that laughter is very important to our sense of well being. You cannot feel depressed if you are laughing. You cannot get an ulcer while you are laughing. Laughter, even forced, can produce endorphins, and you become cheerful.

"But the bottom line is, no matter what makes you laugh, the most important thing is to laugh as much and as often as possible."

For this programme Jerry enlists the help of some of the comedy world's biggest names to highlight the importance of laughter and examines the psychology and physiology of laughter to determine how and why we laugh, what makes us laugh and why it is one of our basic human needs.

The Art Of Laughter features a glittering host of contributors including David Walliams, Matt Lucas, Stephen Fry, Richard Curtis, Lenny Henry, Ross Noble, Frank Skinner, Jo Brand, John Cleese, Richard E Grant, Shazia Mirza, Reginald D Hunter, comedy writer Ian La Frenais, comedy lecturer Dr Oliver Double and Professor of Social Psychology Mark Van Vugt.

By studying comedy styles such as sarcasm, satire and slapstick, through to popular and high-brow comedy, Jerry examines the neurological effect laughter has on our nervous system and moods and explains how laughter really can heal the body and mind.

The Art Of Laughter can be heard on Radio 2 on Tuesday 11 August. It is presented, written and co-produced by Jerry Hall. Co-production is from Des Shaw at Ten Alps Radio.

Radio 2 also reflects the Edinburgh Festival in Claudia Winkleman's weekly Arts Show throughout August (Friday 7, 14 and 21 August, 10.00pm-12midnight), with reports from the festival as all the action unfolds.

And Jason Manford presents two stand-up comedy shows, featuring the cream of the comedy talent at this year's Edinburgh Fringe, in Jason Manford And Friends (Thursday 3 and 10 September, 10.00pm).

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