At the launch of Channel 4's winter highlights in a swanky London bar, the sound of laughter emanating from one corner of the room is unmistakable. Surrounded by a phalanx of attentive scribes, the hosts of The Friday Night Project, Justin Lee Collins and Alan Carr, are holding court. The studied froideur that is so often worn by showbiz-types at these events is notable by its absence. Instead, Carr and Lee Collins, exuding enthusiasm and bonhomie, are clearly having a thoroughly good time as they wisecrack their way through the questions.

Finally, with the canapés all gone, the glasses cleared away and the throngs departed, there's a chance to actually have a decent conversation with the pair. And what an odd pair they make. Lee Collins is a scruffy hairball of a man, with an accent straight out of The Wurzels, while Carr is a geekily camp Mancunian clothes horse. Yet, somehow, it works on-screen and, quite clearly, off it as well, where the two have become firm friends.

Ahead of a new series of The Friday Night Project, the pair discuss their ideal guests, their favourite moments from the show, and Justin Lee Collins' obsession with Carol Vorderman.

There's a good chemistry between you both. Do you get on pretty well?

AC: It's not just friends, it's a sexual chemistry.
JLC: There is that, obviously…
AC: If we could bottle what we have, we'd be rich.
JLC: We'd both be millionaires.
AC: Everyone would want it - they'd be queuing round the block. What would we call it?
JLC: Milky Goodness.

… And moving on… Do you hang out together away from the show?

JLC: Yeah, we do actually.
AC: He lives in Bristol, I live in Manchester.
JLC: We see each other in London. And Al was in Bristol last week, so he came and stayed with me. He's doing this fabulous tour - you've got to see him live, it's unbelievable.
AC: I wish I could bottle that, an' all.
JLC: It was the best night out I've had in ages.


Next: Loving Carol Vorderman and schmoozing with celebs