Horrible Histories. Image shows from L to R: Jim Howick, Laurence Rickard, Mathew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas. Image credit: Lion Television.

Horrible Histories
Horrible Histories. Image shows from L to R: Mathew Baynton, Martha Howe-Douglas, Laurence Rickard. Image credit: Lion Television.

Next New Episode:
Monday 27th May
@ 4:30pm on CBBC
Episode Details

Repeats Scheduled:
Sun 19th (8:55am)
Sun 19th (2:10pm)
  Mon 20th (7:45am)
  Tue 21st (7:45am)
  Wed 22nd (7:45am)
  Thu 23rd (7:45am)

Horrible Histories

Returns for a new series on Monday 27th May.  Episode Details

CBBC series introducing children to gruesome events and ghastly characters from British and international history

Genre:
Sketch Show
Broadcast:
2009 - 2013  (CBBC / BBC One)
Episodes:
69 (5 series)
Starring:
Jim Howick, Simon Farnaby, Ben Willbond, Mathew Baynton, Martha Howe-Douglas, Laurence Rickard, Sarah Hadland, Jon Culshaw, Jess Robinson, John Eccleston, Alice Lowe
Writers:
Mathew Baynton, Colin Swash, Terry Deary, Steve Punt, Jon Holmes, Dave Cohen, Ben Ward, Greg Jenner, Laurence Rickard, Gerard Foster, Giles Pilbrow
Production:
Lion Television

Childrens' BBC comedy series based on the best-selling books written by Terry Deary and illustrated by Martin Brown.

Starting out in the Savage Stone Age, Horrible Histories progresses through the Awful Egyptians, Rotten Romans, Vicious Vikings, Measly Middle Ages, Terrible Tudors, Gorgeous Georgians and Vile Victorians, right up to the Woeful Second World War.

Liberally splattered with guts, blood and poo, Horrible Histories romps through the ages in a collection of sketches, cartoons and quizzes.

Each episode features a mixture of sketches from different ages, played by the ensemble cast, and commentary from the show's host Rattus Rattus - the talking rat.

The show also includes pastiches of some familiar TV formats such as Historical Wife Swap, Historical Hospital and Ready Steady Feast; and various spoof songs, for example a musical journey through 18th Century British history in the style of a Westlife ballad, sung by four King Georges.

Our Review: Horrible Histories is great! A talented cast and writing team have made this a comedy highlight for us. In fact, it has become quite a hit with those outside its target audience. Why? Well, much like Sorry, I've Got No Head, the material doesn't patronise but instead treats the children watching as the intelligent people they are. The musical numbers are the real highlight - make sure you check them out!

The show is such a hit that nearly half of all 6 to 12-year-olds in the country watch the programme, its website has attracted millions upon millions of hits since it launched, and it has beaten mainstream sketch shows to win more than one British Comedy Award now. It's even spawned a prime-time spin-off series showcasing the first two series' highlights, hosted by Stephen Fry.