Gamble is also co-writer and co-host of the Peacock and Gamble Podcast, with Ray Peacock, and was named best compere in the 2014 Chortle Awards, where he was also nominated for best club comic.
Review of U&Dave's new challenge show
Ever since losing Taskmaster to Channel 4 in 2020, U&Dave has made a few attempts to replace it with a new comedians-doing-challenges show, ranging from the terrible (The Island with Tom Allen) to the OK (Outsiders with David Mitchell).
The Way Out, a remake of a Belgian format based on escape rooms, lies somewhere in that range, but feels like background viewing more than the next big hit.
Part of the problem is that there’s only one way of solving each problem, compared to Taskmaster’s open-world approach where anything goes, and anything can win. That said, David O’Doherty does come up with an inventive twist on transporting water in episode one, in which he slides effortlessly into the role of smart middle-aged man doing dumb things.
The main plus of The Way Out is the chemistry between those taking part. Ed Gamble’s team, The Horrid Little Rat People, comprises his long-term support act and real-life escape-room collaborator Chloe Petts plus their old mucker – and guaranteed agent of chaos – Lou Sanders. Opposite them, Nish Kumar’s Society Of Best Friends comprises his life partner, Amy Annette, getting her first significant small-screen exposure, and O’Doherty.
Inventiveness has gone into challenges, too. Episode one is fish-based, going from trawler to fishmonger, and deploys some clever science tricks to reveal the numbers and letters needed to open combinations you’re unlikely to see in your local escape room.
Yet the issue remains that watching people trying to find those codes has limited appeal – even taking into account the amusement value in seeing comedians who are usually so sure of themselves on stage struggle to solve a four-letter anagram.
Overseeing it all is Mel Giedroyc, bringing her usual jolly encouragement to liven the show. And with each room attempted by only two of each team, the remaining member is also locked in the control room, sharing the audience's frustration when their inept colleagues fail to see what they need to do.
A fishing challenge, with Kumar and Sanders dangling on a wire to collect the vital haul, brings some physical fun – though it’s not as fun as the similar, and more stupid, grabbing spider game from Vic and Bob’s largely forgotten 1999 gameshow Families At War.
And while The Way Out is an enjoyable hour, it still looks like it was more fun to film than to watch.
Published: 12 May 2026
They ditched the title The Wrestling for Clash Of The…
9/10/2025
Comedy at Cadogan Hall with Ed Gamble
Everyone knows comedy works best in slightly shabby…
22/02/2025
Ed Gamble got a lovely lead-in to his Friday night…
22/07/2023
Ed Gamble is a lovely boy who wants to be a bad boy…
13/02/2022
There are strong Taskmaster vibes to Outsiders, with…
29/09/2021
Ed Gamble’s certainly chosen a distinctive outfit…
29/08/2019
Comedy Central might have had trouble attracting punters…
6/10/2018
Ed Gamble clearly wants everybody to like him, giving…
23/08/2018
Brit(ish) showcase at Montreal's Just For Laughs
A couple of people seemed to dress the part to be in…
29/07/2018
Here’s another comic who has taken a step up…
9/08/2017
Ed Gamble’s one of the best comperes around, a quick…
26/08/2016
Ed Gamble’s enjoyable sophomore solo show is about…
19/08/2015
Greenwich Comedy Festival opening night
By his own admission, last time Stewart Lee played…
25/09/2014
‘Did that happen to you?’ Ed Gamble asks a man…
9/08/2014
Peacock & Gamble: Heart-throbs
This might be the Pleasance Broomcupboard, but Ray…
12/08/2013
It was a line-up many big charity benefits would envy…
30/04/2013
It’s a good job Ray Peacock and Ed Gamble don’t…
10/08/2012
Sean Lock etc at the Greenwich Comedy Festival
The Greenwich Comedy Festival seems to get bigger each…
18/07/2012
The Peacock And Gamble Emergency Broadcast
The premise of Ray Peacock and Ed Gamble’s show…
13/08/2011
Book (2023)
Glutton by Ed Gamble
We do not currently hold contact details for Ed Gamble's agent. If you are a comic or agent wanting your details to appear here, for a one-off fee of £59, email steve@chortle.co.uk.
We see you are using AdBlocker software. Chortle relies on advertisers to fund this website so it’s free for you, so we would ask that you disable it for this site. Our ads are non-intrusive and relevant. Help keep Chortle viable.
