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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Charlotte Hawes

When does Mock the Week final series start and why was show cancelled?

Mock the Week has aired on BBC Two since 2005, with famous faces on the show including host Dara Ó Briain who has featured in more than 200 episodes of the comedy series.

Throughout the show, comedy legends including Russell Howard, Chris Addison, Frankie Boyle and Rory Bremner have featured on the panel as guest stars alongside regular panellist Hugh Dennis.

When asked about how he felt about Mock the Week ending, Hugh said: “Quite sad, although after 17 years you have to be proud of the fact that we have had such a long run.

“It is very, very unusual that a show runs for that long. It was a very different show when it started."

But when will the final season air and why was the show cancelled?

Here's everything you need to know.

What will the final series of Mock the Week air?

Dara Ó Briain and Hugh Dennis star in Mock the Week (BBC/Angst/Steve Brown)

The first episode of the final series of Mock the Week will air on Friday, September 23 on BBC Two at 10pm.

In total, the final series will have five episodes, which will air weekly, followed by two specials to celebrate the end of the show.

Once an episode has aired, it will be available on BBC iPlayer.

Why has Mock the Week been cancelled?

Hugh Dennis said Mock the Week coming to an end is "quite sad" (REX/Shutterstock)

The BBC announced in August that the show will be axed in order to make room for new shows.

In a statement, the broadcaster said: “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.

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

Dara added: “That’s it folks; 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. 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!”

What have other comedians said about Mock the Week ending?

Angela Barnes will star in the final season of Mock the Week (Ellis O'Brien)

Many household names have been made following their stint on Mock the Week, including Russell Howard, Frankie Boyle and Angela Barnes.

Angela said of the show being axed: Mock The Week has been a massive part of my comedy life, thanks for having me along for the ride. I’ve made many memories and many friends, and will be so sad to wave it off.

“On the bright side, I had LITERALLY just run out of ideas for unlikely things to hear in an action film.”

Who will star in the final series?

Dara Ó Briain is a big fan of incorporating maths into his comedy (Getty)

The final series of Mock the Week will see five new guest stars on the panel each week alongside panel regular Hugh, with Daria back once again to host the show.

They will be joined by Rhys James, Maisie Adam and Ed Byrne for the first episode and episode two will feature Angela Barnes, Alasdair Beckett-King, Rhys James, Ria Lina and Josh Pugh.

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