Latest British comedy news

Gavin & Stacey. Image shows left to right: Bryn (Rob Brydon), Gwen (Melanie Walters), Jason (Robert Wilfort), Smithy (James Corden), Gavin (Mathew Horne), Stacey (Joanna Page), Nessa (Ruth Jones), Mick (Larry Lamb), Pam (Alison Steadman), Pete (Adrian Scarborough), Dawn (Julia Davis)

News

BBC calls for urgent action as it publishes value of comedy report

Thursday 22nd May 2025

A new 31-page BBC report published today has revealed British comedy generates substantial cultural and economic returns, but now requires strategic investment to maintain the UK's global comedy leadership position.

Eric Morecambe's The Reluctant Vampire to star Lenny Rush

Wednesday 21st May 2025

The BBC has cast Lenny Rush as the star in an adaptation of comedy icon Eric Morecambe's 1982 children's novel The Reluctant Vampire.

Only Child. Image shows left to right: Ken (Gregor Fisher), Richard (Greg McHugh)

Only Child to return for Series 2

Wednesday 21st May 2025

The BBC has announced that Gregor Fisher and Greg McHugh are to return in a second series of Only Child, the BBC One sitcom following the exploits of a squabbling father and son.

The Young Offenders. Image shows from L to R: Jock O'Keeffe (Chris Walley), Mairead MacSweeney (Hilary Rose), Conor MacSweeney (Alex Murphy)

The Young Offenders Series 5 confirmed

Wednesday 21st May 2025

The Young Offenders has been given the green light for a fifth series on BBC One.

Funboys. Image shows left to right: Lorcan Boggin (Lee R James), Callum Brown (Ryan Dylan), Jordan McCafferty (Rian Lennon)

Funboys to return for four more episodes

Wednesday 21st May 2025

A second series of Funboys has been confirmed by BBC Three, with four new episodes set to go into production.

Rob Brydon to star in sitcom Bill's Included from The Pin

Wednesday 21st May 2025

Acclaimed comedy duo The Pin - Ben Ashenden and Alexander Owen - have written a new BBC One sitcom, Bill's Included, which will star Rob Brydon.

Diane Morgan sitcom Ann Droid coming to BBC One

Wednesday 21st May 2025

Diane Morgan's next BBC One sitcom will see her star as a humanoid robot, in what is described as "a buddy comedy between an older woman and her robot who isn't quite as advanced socially as she is technically".

Small Prophets. Image shows left to right: Michael Sleep (Pearce Quigley), Kacey (Lauren Patel). Credit: Matt Squire

Mackenzie Crook's magical comedy Small Prophets brought to life by BBC

Wednesday 21st May 2025

Michael Palin, Sophie Willan and Detectorists' Pearce Quigley are to star in Mackenzie Crook's long-term passion project, a partly-animated, magical comedy drama for the BBC. Small Prophets is currently shooting in Manchester.

Stuffed. Image shows left to right: Hannah (Morgana Robinson), Arslan Farooqi (Guz Khan). Credit: Janne-Pekka Manninen

Guz Khan & Morgana Robinson get Stuffed in BBC Christmas comedy caper

Wednesday 21st May 2025

Guz Khan, Morgana Robinson and Sue Johnston are to star in a multi-faith, latter-day version of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation for BBC One, with Stuffed described as a "Christmas caper for the whole family to enjoy this Yuletide season".

The BBC orders more from The Golden Cobra

Wednesday 21st May 2025

The BBC has ordered an expanded second series of its cult animated comedy The Golden Cobra, with a further 12 episodes of the 10-minute sitcom about Ebbw Vale's worst takeaway commissioned for BBC Three and BBC One Wales.

Live

Ian Stone to search for life's missing magic in 2026 tour

Wednesday 21st May 2025

New stand-up show Ian Stone Is Looking For The Wow will tour between January and June 2026.

Not Going Out. Image shows left to right: Lucy (Sally Bretton), Lee (Lee Mack)

Not Going Out announces evolution plus Series 15 commission

Monday 19th May 2025

Not Going Out is due to return to BBC One in June for Series 14, with the characters of Lee and Lucy moving away from their suburban 'empty nest' to a new house in the countryside. A fifteenth series, for 2026, has also been confirmed today.

Dead Ringers: The 25th Anniversary Tour. Image shows left to right: Duncan Wisbey, Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Lewis Macleod. Credit: Steve Ullathorne

Radio

Dead Ringers to return with Jon Holmes as producer

Friday 16th May 2025

Topical impression show Dead Ringers is to return to Radio 4 in June. Following the death of creator Bill Dare, the BBC have now appointed The Skewer and The Naked Week's Jon Holmes as producer.

Academic support staff comedy Schooled coming to Channel 4

Thursday 15th May 2025

Channel 4 has commissioned Schooled, a six-part comedy series based on writer Delia-René Donaldson's real experiences of working in pastoral care at a London school.

Last One Laughing UK Series 2 confirmed

Thursday 15th May 2025

Amazon has confirmed it has ordered a second series of Last One Laughing UK, following the success of the launch series. Jimmy Carr will return for six more episodes.

The Skewer. Credit: BBC, Unusual Productions

Radio

The Skewer wins gold at Radio Academy Awards 2025

Thursday 15th May 2025

Radio 4's topical format The Skewer won the gold award in the comedy category at The Radio Academy ARIAS. Green Wing: Resuscitated was runner-up, with Help I Sexted My Boss taking bronze.

You Rang, M'Lord?. Image shows left to right: Ivy Teasdale (Su Pollard), James Twelvetrees (Jeffrey Holland). Credit: BBC

Online

Audio sequel to You Rang, M'Lord? announced

Wednesday 14th May 2025

The recording of an audio sequel to David Croft and Jimmy Perry's hit BBC television comedy series You Rang, M'Lord? has been announced.

Stephen Buchanan pilots Tapped for BBC Three

Wednesday 14th May 2025

Stephen Buchanan and Dinosaur director Niamh McKeown have reunited for a Glasgow-set BBC Three sitcom pilot, with Tapped also featuring Leah Macrae, Dylan Blore and Lisa Ambalavanar.

Operation Mincemeat starring SpitLip. Image shows left to right: Claire-Marie Hall, Natasha Hodgson, David Cumming, Zoë Roberts, Jak Malone. Credit: Matt Crockett

Live

Operation Mincemeat to tour the UK in 2026

Tuesday 13th May 2025

Operation Mincemeat, the hit comedy musical which has over 70 five star press reviews, is to tour the UK across 2026.

Shop

Adam Buxton releasing debut music album, Buckle Up

Monday 12th May 2025

Adam Buxton is releasing his first solo music album, a collaboration with Metronomy's Joe Mount called Buckle Up, which will be released in September by Decca Records and has been described as tonally "in the uncanny valley of funny and sincere".

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