Frank Skinner awarded the MBE
'I thought it might have been an administrative error'.
30/12/2022 … Frank Skinner has been made an MBE in the New Year Honour’s list.
2022 News
All the latest news about comedy and comedians: stand-up, TV sitcoms and sketch shows, comedy movies, etc…
Fri 30 December 2022
Thu 29 December 2022
© World Affairs Council of Philadelphia/CC BY-SA 2.0 Bill Cosby: I'm going back to stand-up next year
Comic says: 'There is so much fun to be had'
29/12/2022 … Bill Cosby is planning a stand-up tour next year – despite having more than 60 women testify that he sexually abused him.
Catherine Bohart and Larry Dean launch relationship podcast
29/12/2022 … Catherine Bohart and Larry Dean have today launched a new comedy relationship advice podcast, Shared Baggage.
Wed 28 December 2022
© BBC John Bird, 'one of the last pillars of the anti-establishment’, dies at 86
Tributes to groundbreaking satirist
28/12/2022 … Tributes have been paid to veteran satirist John Bird, who has died at the age of 86.
Mon 26 December 2022
© Rob Parfitt / Channel 4 Prince Andrew finally faces the music
The week's best comedy on TV, radio and streaming
26/12/2022 … The best of the week’s comedy on TV, radio and on demand… Monday December 26 DETECTORISTS: Mackenzie Crook and Toby Jones are back after five…
© Netflix Netflix sets a date for Chris Rock's live stand-up special
Comedian to achieve a first in March
26/12/2022 … Chris Rock’s live Netflix special will air on March 4, the streaming service has announced.
© BBC Radio 4's become 'too glum'
Controller pilots new comedy shows to counter the misery
26/12/2022 … Radio 4 is ramping up its comedy ambitions after a year of misery.
Sat 24 December 2022
© BBC / Alan Peebles Six new Mrs Brown's Boys episodes for 2023
Brendan O’Carroll planning a mini-series plus two Christmas specials
24/12/2022 … Mrs Brown's Boys will be returning for six episodes in 2023, creator Brendan O’Carroll has revealed.
Thu 22 December 2022
Tom Ward fronts a 'charity shop Taskmaster'
New series for Channel 4's digital channels
22/12/2022 … Tom Ward is making a new Channel 4 series drawing on his past working in a charity show.
Robin Ince joins Chortle Comedy Book Festival
With Richard Herring, Geoff Norcott, Count Binface and more
22/12/2022 … Robin Ince has joined the line-up of next month’s Chortle Comedy Book Festival.
Wed 21 December 2022
© C4 Joe Lycett responds to 'hypocrisy' claims over Qatar gigs
'I don't have the spotless morality of, say, The Sun'
21/12/2022 … Joe Lycett had admitted he hasn’t got ‘spotless morality’ after being accused of hypocrisy for playing gigs in Qatar.
Longlists announced for the next Comedy Women in Print Prize
For both published and unpublished novels
21/12/2022 … The longlisted novels for the next Comedy Women in Print Prize have been revealed today.
Tue 20 December 2022
Rhod Gilbert postpones tour dates
20/12/2022 … Rhod Gilbert has postponed his live shows next month, despite responding well to his cancer treatment.
© Johan Persson Paul Whitehouse returns to Only Fools And Horses musical
20/12/2022 … Paul Whitehouse is to return to the cast of the Only Fools and Horses musical next year.
Mon 19 December 2022
Peter Kay takes the roof off The O2
Award made from its canvas as he starts his London residency
19/12/2022 … Bosses at The O2 have given Peter Kay an award to mark his record-breaking run at the London arena.
Larry Dean to release his first stand-up special
Fandan out as a digital download next year
19/12/2022 … Larry Dean is to release his first stand-up special, Fandan, next year.
BBC launches a raft of schemes to develop comedy talent
'Supercharged' bursaries and grants available
19/12/2022 … The BBC’s comedy department has revamped and expanded its schemes to develop new comedy talent.
Aisling Bea's a 'reverse Santa'
Charity drive in aid of food banks
19/12/2022 … Aisling Bea and some of her comedy friends are playing ‘reverse Santa’ this Christmas – to take gifts OFF anyone who steps into their grotto.
© Aemen Sukkar Channel 4’s National Comedy Awards to return
19/12/2022 … Channel 4’s National Comedy Awards show is returning next year, with Tom Allen back as host.
Sun 18 December 2022
Judi Love announces debut stand-up tour
18/12/2022 … Judi Love is to embark on her first ever stand-up tour.
© BBC Inside No 9 haunts the Christmas schedules
The week's best comedy on TV and radio
18/12/2022 … The best of the week’s comedy on TV, radio and on demand… Monday December 19 RICHARD OSMAN'S HOUSE OF GAMES:Ivo Graham takes part in what's…
Sat 17 December 2022
Lost Fawlty Towers scene discovered
Rehearsal script with unshot material is put up for auction
17/12/2022 … A Fawlty Towers script featuring the 'Holy Grail' of a deleted scene is being sold at auction.
Fri 16 December 2022
© Matt Crockett Initial schedule announced for Mark Watson’s Access Festival
Streaming festival includes The Covid Arms and No More Jockeys...
16/12/2022 … The initial schedule has been confirmed for Mark Watson’s Access Festival of streaming shows next month.
© BBC/Sophie Mutevelian Thu 15 December 2022
© BBC/Monumental Ghosts gets a fifth series
Filming on new episodes to start in early 2023
15/12/2022 … Ghosts will be back for a fifth series, the BBC has confirmed.
© ITV Emmerdale's Hayley Tamaddon tipped for comedy writing success
One of four finalists in female script hunt
15/12/2022 … Four finalists have been announced for a script competition seeking comedy pilots written by women, and featuring female lead characters over the age of 45.
Guess what. The first tickets for the 2023 Edinburgh Fringe just went on sale...
Adam Kay makes a return to the festival
15/12/2022 … The first show has gone on sale for next year’s Edinburgh Fringe – almost two months earlier than usual.
Garth Marenghi to make his first TV appearance in more than 15 years
Horror writer guests on the Russell Howard Hour
15/12/2022 … Garth Marengh is to make his first TV appearance in more than 15 years tonight.
Comics launch This Is A Music Quiz podcast
With team captains Michael Legge and Bethany Black
15/12/2022 … Michael Legge and Bethany Black are to be team captains on a new music-based panel show podcast.
Man jailed for 270 days over Dave Chappelle stage attack
Isaiah Lee pleads no contest to charges
15/12/2022 … The man accused of attacking Dave Chappelle on stage at the Hollywood Bowl has been jailed for 270 days after pleading ‘no contest’ to the charges.
© C4 Joe Lycett lands a David Beckham scoop
Football icon breaks his Qatar silence with statement to comic's C4 show
15/12/2022 … David Beckham is to break his silence about his controversial links to the Qatar World Cup in an exclusive statement to Joe Lycett’s Channel 4 show.
Wed 14 December 2022
The Peter Kay tickets going for LESS than face value
14/12/2022 … Some people who bought tickets for Peter Kay’s tour hoping to make a hefty mark-up have been left trying to sell them at less than face value.
Stand-up tour news
Flurry of new and extended shows..
14/12/2022 … Promoters have released a flurry of news about stand-up tours in 2023.
Vir Das gets a fourth Netflix special
Landing will premiere on Boxing Day
14/12/2022 … Vir Das has announced that his new hour stand-up special Landing will premiere on Netflix on Boxign Day.
Janey Godley's cancer has returned
2023 tour goes ahead, as she says it may be her last
14/12/2022 … Janey Godley has revealed that her cancer has returned.
America has a FIFTH attempt at remaking Peep Show
...this time about colleagues, not flatmates
14/12/2022 … The Americans are having a fifth bash at remaking Peep Show.
Tue 13 December 2022
Leicester Comedy Festival announces its 2023 finalists
Comedian of the Year contenders, punsters and more...
13/12/2022 … The Leicester Comedy Festival has announced the comedians taking part in its flagship competitions next year.
Altitude named best overseas festival
Comedy event wins at UK Festival Awards.
13/12/2022 … Alpine comedy festival Altitude has been named best overseas festival at the UK Festival Awards.
Rhod Gilbert: I have stage 4 cancer but I’m feeling happy, positive and optimistic
‘I’ve got a feeling when I’ve got through all this there’ll be a show in it.’
13/12/2022 … Rhod Gilbert has revealed that he has stage 4 cancer, but is optimistic of recovery and is already planning a new stand-up show about his treatment.
Mon 12 December 2022
Victor Lewis-Smith dies at 65
'A unique and irreplaceable talent'
12/12/2022 … Writer, broadcaster and satirist Victor Lewis-Smith has died at the age of 65.
Scott Bennett scoops Midlands Comedy Award again
12/12/2022 … Nottinghamshire-based Scott Bennett was last night named best act at the Midlands Comedy Awards for the fourth time in a row, while Josh Pugh scooped the…
Just For Laughs London adds new names
Including Ed Gamble making his wrestling debut
12/12/2022 … Just For Laughs has announced some of the line-ups for the mixed-bill showcases at its London festival, taking place at across various venues within The O2 in March,…
Ricky Gervais announces more Armageddon tour dates
European stand-up tour for 2023
12/12/2022 … Ricky Gervais has today announced seven UK dates as part of a European tour for his latest stand-up show Armageddon.
Sun 11 December 2022
BBC One to air Jason Manford’s stand-up special
Prime slot in the Christmas schedules
11/12/2022 … BBC One is to air Jason Manford’s latest stand-up tour over Christmas.
© C4 Joe Lycett vs David Beckham: Behind the shredder
The week's best comedy on TV and radio
11/12/2022 … The best of the week’s comedy on TV, radio and on demand… Monday December 12 RICHARD OSMAN'S HOUSE OF GAMES: Kevin Eldon, and Sarah Keyworth…
© Will Bremridge The ultimate One Woman Show hits the West End
11/12/2022 … The best of the week's live comedy, picked from the 4,305 events Chortle currently has listed.
Sat 10 December 2022
© BBC Hi-de-Hi!'s Ruth Madoc dies at 79
Actress had been hospitalised following an accident
10/12/2022 … Hi-de-Hi! star Ruth Madoc has died at the age of 79, her agent has confirmed.
© Netflix Comic Tom Houghton signs up for Netflix's The Circle
From the Tower Of London to reality TV
10/12/2022 … Comedian Tom Houghton is to be a contestant on the next series of Netflix reality show The Circle.
Fri 09 December 2022
Australian comic Judith Lucy quits stand-up after 35 years
'I just don’t want to live like that any more.'
09/12/2022 … Australian comedian Judith Lucy has revealed that she is quitting stand-up after 35 years on the antipodean circuit.
Peter Kay expands his tour again
Including a 28th night at London's O2
09/12/2022 … Peter Kay has announced another 11 arena dates for his comeback tour, which now stretches to November 22.
Mo Gilligan takes his Black British Takeover on tour
09/12/2022 … Mo Gilligan is taking his Black British Takeover comedy showcase on tour.
© UKTV Lenny Henry working on more memoirs
09/12/2022 … Lenny Henry is working on a third volume of his memoirs.
Thu 08 December 2022
© BBC Ivo Graham and Ria Lina to appear on University Challenge
08/12/2022 … Comedians Ivo Graham and Ria Lina are among the celebrities taking part in the Christmas editions of University Challenge.
John Robins announces his biggest tour yet
Comic says Howl 'isn't about mental health... it IS mental health'
08/12/2022 … John Robins has announced his biggest live tour yet.
Phone Shop creator signs exclusive deal with Tiger Aspect
...as production company bolsters development team
08/12/2022 … TV production company Tiger Aspect has signed an exclusive deal with Phone Shop creator Phil Bowker that gives then first dibs on his next projects.
© C4 Sean Lock left £4million
Comic's estate held in trust for his family
08/12/2022 … Sean Lock left just over £4 million to his family, probate records have revealed.
Wed 07 December 2022
© Ajay Suresh/CC BY-SA 2.0 New York comedy institution to close
Caroline's on Broadway forced out by soaring rent
07/12/2022 … One of New York’s best known comedy clubs, Carolines On Broadway, is to close its doors after 30 years.
Our Flag Means Death comes to BBC Two
Rhys Darby stars in swashbuckling pirate adventure
07/12/2022 … Our Flag Means Death – the swashbuckling comedy starring Rhys Darby and Taika Waititi – is coming to BBC Two in the new year.
Ricky Gervais’s wealth grows by £10m
According to new accounts from his companies
07/12/2022 … Ricky Gervais’s fortune has swelled by £10million in a year The assets of his company Red Lion 100 Ltd rose £5.
© Comedy Central Guest hosts to replace Trevor Noah on the Daily Show
Comedy Central opts for a roster of comics for next season
07/12/2022 … The Daily Show will continue with a series of guests host once Trevor Noah leaves, broadcaster Comedy Central has announced.
Edinburgh Fringe app 'will be back in 2023'
But organisers are more vague about tackling accommodation crisis
07/12/2022 … The Edinburgh Fringe app will be back next year, organisers have vowed, after causing outrage by dropping the service to save money.
© C4 Sandi Toksvig leaves hospital
QI host on the mend from bronchial pneumonia
07/12/2022 … Sandi Toksvig has left hospital after being laid low with bronchial pneumonia while touring Australia.
© C4/Love Productions Matt Lucas leaves Bake Off
'I am cheerfully passing the baguette on to someone else'
07/12/2022 … Matt Lucas is standing down as host of the Great British Bake Off after three series.
Tue 06 December 2022
Colin Cole dies at 66
6ft 7in Australian was a familiar figure on UK stand-up circuit
06/12/2022 … Australian comedian Colin Cole – whose 6ft 7in frame was a familiar fixture on the UK stand-up circuit – has died at the age of 66.
Sky to debut Katherine Ryan and Rob Beckett specials
06/12/2022 … Sky Comedy is branching out into stand-up specials, debuting shows from Katherine Ryan and Rob Beckett later this month.
Ed Byrne's joke saved my life
Cancer survivor thanks comic for prompting a GP visit
06/12/2022 … A woman has thanked Ed Byrne for saving her life with a joke.
TV newcomer up for top comedy writing award
Anna Costello's Dead Canny up against Derry Girls and Big Boys
06/12/2022 … A first-time TV writer is up for a prestigious comedy award, alongside Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee and comedian Jack Rooke.
Kevin Hart announces UK dates for 2023
Four arena shows for his Reality Check tour
06/12/2022 … Kevin Hart has announced a short run of UK dates.
Kirstie Alley dead at 71
Star of Cheers and Look Who's Talking had cancer
06/12/2022 … Cheers star Kirstie Alley has died of cancer at 71, her family have said.
Mon 05 December 2022
Ricky Gervais to play Hollywood Bowl
...and NYC's Radio City Music Hall with new Armageddon show
05/12/2022 … Ricky Gervais has announced dates at two iconic US venues: the Hollywood Bowl and Radio City Music Hall in New York.
Eddie Izzard loses bid to become Labour MP
Sheffield party opts for local councillor Abtisam Mohamed instead
05/12/2022 … Eddie Izzard will not be fighting the seat of Sheffield Central for Labour at the next general election.
By Royal disappointment! Frank Skinner slated by the Wessexes
Usually bland backstage Royal Variety chat becomes pointed
05/12/2022 … Backstage at the Royal Variety Performance is usually the place to exchange bland, polite pleasantries.
Harry Hill’s Tony Blair musical heads to the West End
Month-long run in the Leicester Square Theatre
05/12/2022 … Harry Hill’s unofficial Tony Blair musical is heading to the West End next year.
Sun 04 December 2022
© ITV Vale! Plebs bows out with feature-length special
The week's best comedy on TV, radio and streaming
04/12/2022 … The best of the week’s comedy on TV, radio and on demand… Tuesday December 6 SEBASTIAN MANISCALO: IS IT ME?: A new Netflix stand-up special, recorded…
© Matt Crockett Mr Swallow is Mr Scrooge
The best of the week's live comedy
04/12/2022 … The best of the week's live comedy, picked from the thousands of events Chortle currently has listed.
Sat 03 December 2022
Does your pun elicit a groan?
That just shows people like it, says science
03/12/2022 … People enjoy puns, as much as they might groan at them, new research has found.
© C4 Sandi Toksvig cancels NZ tour due to illness
Comic contracts bronchial pneumonia
03/12/2022 … Sandi Toksvig has cancelled the New Zealand leg of her tour after being hospitalised with bronchial pneumonia.
Peter Kay gets emotional at his stand-up comeback
...and gives fans exactly what they came for
03/12/2022 … Peter Kay was given a standing ovation that reduced him to tears as he returned to the stand-up stage after 12 years.
Fri 02 December 2022
© Matt Crockett Mae Martin shoots Netflix stand-up special
Their first hour for the streaming platform
02/12/2022 … Mae Martin is to shoot their first hour-long Netflix stand-up special.
© Matt Crockett Mark Watson announces a month-long virtual comedy festival
'It would be a pity to lose sight of how accessible comedy can be'
02/12/2022 … Mark Watson is putting together a major online comedy festival spanning the whole month of January.
US comics announce UK dates
Trevor Noah, Nikki Glaser and Iliza Shlesinger
02/12/2022 … Several US-based comedians have announced UK dates for 2023.
Thu 01 December 2022
Who's in Taskmaster series 15?
01/12/2022 … The line-up for the 15th series of Taskmaster has been revealed tonight.
© Steve Ullathorne Who are the finalists in the 2022 Leicester Square Theatre New Comedian of the Year
01/12/2022 … The finalists have been named in this year’s Leicester Square Theatre New Comedian of the Year.
Daily Mash owner buys The Poke
Website collates social media highlights
01/12/2022 … Digitalbox – the digital media business which owns websites including Entertainment Daily, The Daily Mash and The Tab – has bought The Poke website for…
© Mirrorpix / Alamy Stock Photo Tony Hancock's widow Freddie dies at 92
Publicist had a turbulent marriage to comedy legend
01/12/2022 … Tony Hancock’s widow, Freddie, has died in Manhattan at the age of 92.
Dawn French announces a second leg of her UK tour
'I’m bringing my Twat to a theatre near you'
01/12/2022 … Dawn French has announced a second UK tour of her stand-up show, Dawn French Is A Huge Twat.
Only Fools... has the top two Christmas TV scenes
With comedy shows dominating the full top 30
01/12/2022 … The enduring popularity of a good comedy show is revealed in a new survey of the top Christmas TV moments.
© BBC Studios BBC Studios launches new digital comedy channel
Funny Parts feature exclusive commissions and classic clips
01/12/2022 … BBC Studios has launched a new digital comedy channel with three brand-new commissions.