© Matt Stronge I was on The Traitors... comedians hated me for it
Hannah Byczkowski on snobbery on the circuit
28/07/2026 … Five years ago, I was standing in a basement ready to go on stage at my very first gig wondering.
2026 Opinions
Chortle's Opinions section is an arena for fans to share their views on any aspect of comedy.
We invite general comment pieces about particular aspects of the comedy scene (although reviews of individual shows or performers tend not to be suited to this section except in very rare circumstances). Contributions should be at least 500 words in length, in a similar tone to something you might read in a broadsheet newspaper, and emailed to steve@chortle.co.uk
We reserve the right to edit pieces – although we will be careful not to change the meaning of anything – or not to use them at all. By submitting an article you grant Chortle indefinite licence to use it freely; though you retain the copyright on it to use it elsewhere.
Tue 28 July 2026
© Matt Stronge Mon 27 July 2026
What have I learned in the 25 years since The Naked Racist?
Phil Nichol revisits his award-winning breakout show
27/07/2026 … Twenty years ago, The Naked Racist marked a defining moment in my career.
Sun 26 July 2026
Female empowerment? We still got called slags for taking our kit off
Selina Mosinski on girl power, Page 3 and the ladette years
26/07/2026 … The late 1990s and early 2000s was a memorable time to be a Midlands gal about town trying to make something of myself.
Sat 25 July 2026
Why I'm so glad I gave up comedy (for a bit)
25/07/2026 … When I started out in comedy, I had a few good years.
Fri 24 July 2026
Why I'm ditching the absurdist alienation for conversational stand-up
John-Luke Roberts on his 'bold new direction'
24/07/2026 … What I Talk About When I Run About, Talking is my 11th solo comedy show, and my first stand-up show.
Thu 23 July 2026
© Sami Lane I was a megachurch pastor… then I fell for a woman
Brit Barron on the 'grief' of leaving a world she loved for the person she loved
23/07/2026 … I grew up evangelical in America in the 1990s, which meant I was deeply, structurally uncool in middle school.
Wed 22 July 2026
What my trans experience and the 2010 German World Cup squad have in common
Dee Allum on the inspiration for her Edinburgh Fringe sow
22/07/2026 … I’ve always thought there’s a dearth of shows that tackle both the fate of the England football team and transgender surgery.
Tue 21 July 2026
© BBC Why I had to make the case for the BBC
Romesh Ranganathan on fronting the 'what has the BBC ever done for me?' campaign
21/07/2026 … Romesh Ranganathan is fronting a new campaign ‘what has the BBC ever done for me?’ making the case for the licence fee, following in the footsteps of…