The big names in British comedy that have appeared on Mock the Week over the years

by 24britishtvAug. 3, 2022, 2 p.m. 60
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Mock the Week has been cancelled after 17 years and more than 100 guests, with the final season set to air this autumn

The show has been on air through the tenure of five Prime Ministers and satirised scores of scandals.

On 2 August the BBC announced that the show would air its 21st and final season this autumn, with the show’s cancellation planned to make room for new content.

Host Dara O’Brian said: “The storylines were getting crazier and crazier – global pandemics, divorce from Europe, novelty short-term prime ministers. It couldn’t go on. We just couldn’t be more silly than the news was already.”

More than 100 comedians have been guests on the show over its 20 season run - and many used the opportunity to launch successful careers.

Which comedians have been on Mock the Week?

After news of its axing came out, Dara O’Brian referred to Mock the Week as ‘Dara and Hugh’s Academy for Baby Comedians’ because of the numbers of up and coming performers who cut their teeth on the show.

Hugh Dennis is the only comedian to have been a main guest on every season of the show, appearing on 174 episodes in total.

Though Dennis is as synonymous with the show as Dara, he is also known for his role in the sitcoms Outnumbered and Not Going Out.

Dennis also starred in the dark comedy series Fleabag, and had a cameo appearance in the latest James Bond film, No Time to Die.

Andy Parsons was the next most prolific comic on the show, appearing on the first 14 seasons.

Frankie Boyle was long associated with Mock the Week, though he left the show after the seventh season. He has since fronted several dark comedy shows including Frankie Boyle’s Tramadol Nights and New World Order.

But many comedians who appeared on Mock the Week were relatively unknown at the time.

Russell Howard is one of the show’s greatest success stories - after his stint on the show he started on Russell Howaerd’s Good News and has since appeared on many other comedy shows including Taskmaster.

Other Taskmaster alumni, James Acaster and Ed Gamble both first appeared on the show just as their careers in comedy were taking off.

Sophie Duker, Lucy Porter, Rob Becket, and Josh Widdicombe were also green when they first took a seat on the Mock the Week panel and have all gone on to have promising careers in comedy.

How can you watch old episodes of Mock the Week?

You can watch old episodes on Dave - episodes generally air Tuesday-Friday at 10pm and Mondays at 10.40pm.

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