Horrible Histories. Image shows from L to R: Gemma Whelan, Ryan Sampson, Tom Stourton
Horrible Histories

Horrible Histories

  • TV sketch show
  • CBBC / BBC One
  • 2009 - 2024
  • 140 episodes (10 series)

Hit sketch show based on surprising facts from world history, inspired by the hit children's book series. Stars Jim Howick, Simon Farnaby, Ben Willbond, Mathew Baynton, Martha Howe-Douglas and more.

Episode menu

Series 1, Episode 6

Outlandish Georgian beauty tips, a Roman Galley safety announcement and made-up monsters and bizarre cures for the Black Death from the Measly Middle Ages are just some of the comedy treats featured in this week's feast of funny historical sketches.

Further details

More pastiches of familiar television formats help to explain historical events; an advert for Victorian Claims Direct details some of the injuries Victorian children faced in the workplace; and Greek Myth Talk puts Greek God Cronus and his family on the spot in a daytime talk show. Also, in Historical Wife Swap, the Georgian Lord and Lady Posh from the Manor swap with the Peasant family of Poorville.

This week's Fairy Tale is The Old Woman Who Lived In The Shoe - the First World War version - and a witty song reveals that lead paint, false eyebrows made of mouse skin and hair-raising wigs were all essential parts of a gorgeous Georgian lady's beauty routine.

Broadcast details

Date
Thursday 21st May 2009
Time
4:35pm
Channel
BBC One
Length
30 minutes

Repeats

Show past repeats

Date Time Channel
Thursday 11th February 2010 4:05pm BBC1
Friday 22nd October 2010 4:30pm BBC1
Saturday 21st May 2011 2:35pm CBBC
Sunday 29th May 2011 2:05pm CBBC
Friday 3rd June 2011 12:25pm CBBC
Wednesday 15th February 2012 10:30am CBBC
Monday 9th April 2012 1:00pm CBBC
Friday 19th July 2013 10:30am CBBC
Monday 9th September 2013 7:45am CBBC
Saturday 1st February 2014 3:00pm CBBC
Monday 18th April 2016 7:00pm CBBC
Friday 5th August 2016 7:00pm CBBC
Tuesday 10th January 2017 7:30pm CBBC
Sunday 16th April 2017 10:05am CBBC
Sunday 7th January 2018 8:30am CBBC
Sunday 7th January 2018 8:30pm CBBC
Friday 30th March 2018 12:00pm CBBC
Friday 30th March 2018 2:45pm CBBC
Friday 30th March 2018 7:00pm CBBC
Monday 30th July 2018 9:05am CBBC
Monday 30th July 2018 7:00pm CBBC
Monday 10th September 2018 7:00pm CBBC
Tuesday 4th December 2018 7:00pm CBBC
Sunday 7th April 2019 10:45am CBBC
Friday 28th June 2019 7:00pm CBBC

Cast & crew

Cast
Jim Howick Various
Simon Farnaby Various
Ben Willbond Various
Mathew Baynton Various
Martha Howe-Douglas Various
Sarah Hadland Various
Jon Culshaw Various (Voice)
Jess Robinson Various (Voice)
Meera Syal Self
Javone Prince Ensemble Actor
John Eccleston Rattus Rattus
Guest cast
George Sawyer Ensemble Actor
Writing team
Ben Ward Writer
Laurence Rickard Writer
George Sawyer Writer
Greg Jenner Writer
Simon Littlefield Writer
Production team
Steve Connelly Director
Chloe Thomas Director
Caroline Norris Series Producer
Giles Pilbrow Producer
Dominic Brigstocke Producer
Richard Bradley Executive Producer
Kim Shillinglaw Executive Producer
Charlie Fawcett Editor
Michelle Turkington Editor
Miranda Jones Production Designer
Richie Webb Composer
Matt Katz Composer

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