"This is the most significant event in television since Quantum Leap, and I don't say that lightly." DEAN LEARNER

The Empire screening room has been packed at lunchtimes in recent weeks. Admittedly it's a tiny room and we're only talking about 3 or 4 people, but it's evidence of the Garth Marenghi cult that continues to grow both inside and outside the office.

For those not yet in the know, Garth Marenghi's Darkplace is one of the funniest British comedies in a long, long time. The concept is that a lost TV show from the 1980s, a hospital-set horror serial created by novelist Marenghi, has finally been unearthed. But, as quickly becomes clear, the pompous Marenghi and his cast .. including publisher/producer Dean Learner, exploitation star Todd Rivers and token blonde Madeleine Wool .. have created the worst show in history. Complete with dodgy dubbing, rotten special effects and acting that would disgrace a porno, it's riotously funny, especially when the stars deludedly comment on their work in 'retrospective' interviews. Says Dean: "Garth is the most significant artist that I've worked with. And I've worked with Lulu and four other people, so we're talking crème de la crème."

So excitement levels were high (for 3 or 4 of us, anyway) when we found out that Garth and Dean (aka Matthew Holness and Richard Ayoade) had agreed to an interview in character. I headed down to Soho with John, who was taking photos, where we found the two masters of horror in their office near a peep show. The resulting interview .. in which Garth reveals just how George Lucas ripped him off, and Dean talks about the time he purchased scouring pads at a bargain price .. was one of the funniest things we've ever experienced and will appear on the main site very soon.

Until then, we urge you to go out and buy the brand-new DVD for yourself. If only so we can get to see a second season...

(Below: Nick, Dean, Garth and John)