James Acaster becomes UK's top podcaster
James Acaster has toppled Joe Rogan to become the UK’s top podcaster.
The comedian’s new Springleaf podcast – based on his undercover cop alter-ego – is now the No1 show on Spotify in the UK and Ireland.
It features an all-star comedy cast including Romesh Ranganathan, Katherine Ryan, Tom Allen, Sara Pascoe, Joe Lycett, Lolly Adefope, Nish Kumar, Rosie Jone, Guz Khan, Phil Wang, Ed Gamble, Josh Widdicombe and Sindhu Vee.
Acaster first introduced Springleaf in his 2014 stand-up show Recognise, later released as part of his four-part Netflix special. In that show he ‘revealed’ that he was really an undercover cop who had adopted the guise of a stand-up to infiltrate the comedy circuit.
The podcasts are based on the wire Springleaf wore 24-7-365 (or 366 if it was a leap year). Ten episodes have been made with the second weekly instalment dropping yesterday.
It was made after fans contributed £135,500 to a crowdfunding campaign – a pittance compared to the reported $200million three-and-a-half year deal Rogan has to host his podcast exclusively on Spotify.
The Joe Rogan Experience is currently No2 in the UK, followed by The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett and three of the Rest Is… podcasts on entertainment, politics and football. However, Rogan retains the No1 slot in all other English-speaking territories.
Acaster’s other podcast – Off Menu, which he co-hosts with Ed Gamble – is at No 18.
Published: 29 Nov 2023
James Acaster has written a new book about quitting…
11/02/2022
Josh Widdicombe and James Acaster are to return for…
20/12/2021
James Acaster is to make his movie debut in a new musical…
7/07/2021
Ed Gamble and James Acaster’s Off Menu podcast…
23/06/2021
James Acaster appears on Big Zuu’s Big Eats next…
8/06/2021
He has won plaudits for talking about his mental health…
13/05/2021
Tom Allen is to front a new Dave panel show in which…
5/05/2021
One of London’s best-loved comedy clubs has made…
21/01/2021
Comics Aisling Bea, James Acaster, Robert Webb, Ben…
6/08/2020
Ed Gamble and James Acaster's Off Menu podcast…
22/07/2020
Josh Widdicombe and James Acaster’s…
5/02/2020
James Acaster is to launch a new BBC podcast based…
4/02/2020
Past Shows
Agent
Chris Lander
Contact by email
Office: 020 7291 9000