Mock The Week axed after 17 years after UK 'runs out of news'

The beloved comedy panel show Mock The Week has been axed after 17 years.

Presenter and comedian Dara O’Briain, who fronted over 200 episodes of the programme, confirmed the news, sarcastically saying the ‘UK has finally run out of news’.

‘The storylines were getting crazier and crazier – global pandemics, divorce from Europe, novelty short-term prime ministers,’ he said. ‘It couldn’t go on.

‘And so, regretfully, we are closing the doors on Dara and Hugh’s Academy for Baby Comedians.

‘We just couldn’t be more silly than the news was already. Huge thanks to all our guests over the years, so many of whom went on to huge successes of their own, and never write or call. It was a joy!’

Mock The Week has been credited with launching a number of comedians into household names, including the likes of Michael McIntyre, Sarah Millican, Kevin Bridges, John Bishop and Rhod Gilbert.

‘The next series of Mock The Week will be the last, we are really proud of the show but after 21 series we have taken the difficult decision in order to create room for new shows,’ the BBC said.

‘We would like to thank Angst Productions, host Dara O’Briain, panellist Hugh Dennis and all the guest comedians involved in the show across the 21 series.’

Mock The Week creator Dan Patterson expressed his disappointment following the news.

‘It’s been announced that the next series of Mock the Week will be the last after 17 great years on the BBC,’ he said.

‘Desperately disappointing but hopefully we will resurface again soon. Huge thanks to Dara and Hugh and all the wonderful performers over the years. It’s been a privilege.’

Angst Productions, the company behind the programme, added: ‘We’re naturally hugely disappointed that Mock The Week is coming to an end and hope that we will be able to resurface somewhere some day in the future.

‘However, the last 17 years on BBC Two have been an absolute blast. It’s been a great privilege to work closely with scores of truly incredible performers and we’d also like to take the opportunity to thank the BBC and all our many fans around the world for their support over the years.’

Mock The Week’s final episodes will air on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer this autumn.

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