Horrible Histories

Hit sketch show based on surprising facts from world history, inspired by the hit children's book series

21st November: Comedies shortlisted for Broadcast Awards 2020

Genre: Sketch Show
Broadcast: 2009 - 2019
Channels: CBBC, BBC One
Episodes: 105 (8 series), plus 8 highlights programmes
Creator: Terry Deary
Starring: Jim Howick, Simon Farnaby, Ben Willbond, Mathew Baynton, Martha Howe-Douglas, Laurence Rickard, Sarah Hadland, Tom Stourton and others
Writers: George Sawyer, Mathew Baynton, Colin Swash, Howard Read, Benjamin Partridge, Daniel Peak, Justin Edwards, Steve Punt and others
Directors: Simon Gibney, Ian Curtis, Steve Connelly, Dominic Brigstocke and Chloe Thomas
Producers: David Staite, Jack Cheshire, Tom Miller, Caroline Norris, Giles Pilbrow, Imogen Cooper, Dominic Brigstocke, Lisa Mitchell and Matt Lamont

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.

More description

Flo and Joan - Fake News Song

Production Details

Production companies

Laugh track

None

Broadcast details

First broadcast

Thursday 16th April 2009 on BBC One at 4:35pm

Last new broadcast

Monday 16th September 2019 on CBBC at 5:30pm

Upcoming repeats

Series 6 Episode 4: Today at 7pm on CBBC
Series 6 Episode 5: Tomorrow at 7pm on CBBC
Series 6 Episode 6: Thursday at 7:05pm on CBBC
Series 4 Episode 14: Friday at 10:55am on CBBC
Series 8 Episode 1: Friday at 11:25am on CBBC
Series 8 Episode 2: Friday at 11:55am on CBBC
Series 8 Episode 3: Friday at 12:20pm on CBBC
Series 8 Episode 4: Friday at 12:50pm on CBBC
Series 8 Episode 5: Friday at 1:20pm on CBBC
Series 8 Episode 6: Friday at 1:50pm on CBBCShow all repeats
Series 7 Episode 2: Saturday at 8:25pm on CBBC
Series 6 Episode 11: Sunday at 11:20am on CBBC
Series 6 Episode 7: Tuesday 17th December at 7pm on CBBC
Series 6 Episode 8: Wednesday 18th December at 7pm on CBBC
Horrible Christmas Episode 1: Thursday 19th December at 7pm on CBBC
Series 7 Episode 3: Saturday 21st December at 8:30pm on CBBC
Horrible Christmas Episode 1: Sunday 22nd December at 11:25am on CBBC
Horrible Christmas Episode 1: Monday 23rd December at 6:35pm on CBBC
Horrible Christmas Episode 1: Wednesday 25th December at 7:30pm on CBBC
Horrible Christmas Episode 1: Thursday 26th December at 8:20pm on CBBC
Horrible Christmas Episode 1: Friday 27th December at 4:55pm on CBBC
Series 8 Episode 1: Saturday 28th December at 11:20am on CBBC
Series 8 Episode 2: Saturday 28th December at 11:50am on CBBC
Series 8 Episode 3: Saturday 28th December at 12:20pm on CBBC
Series 8 Episode 4: Saturday 28th December at 12:50pm on CBBC
Series 8 Episode 5: Saturday 28th December at 1:15pm on CBBC
Series 7 Episode 4: Saturday 28th December at 8:25pm on CBBC
Series 6 Episode 13: Sunday 29th December at 11:40am on CBBC

Website links

Official Horrible Histories Website
The official website for the the series of books. Featuring fun facts and more.
CBBC Horrible Histories Website
The CBBC website to accompany the show. Features clips, computer games and more.
Horrible Histories On Soundcloud
Composer Richie Webb has uploaded the latest Horrible Histories songs to Soundcloud.
IMDb