The next eight episodes of the popular programme, which will air in the autumn, will be its last, marking the end of the series after 21 series and more than 200 episodes, hosted by Irish comedian Dara Ó Briain. The show first aired in June 2005. A series regular was Hugh Dennis, with other comedy stars including Chris Addison, Frankie Boyle, Rory Bremner and Russell Howard having previously appeared. Ó Briain said: “That’s it guys, the UK has finally run out of news. “The stories got crazier and crazier – global pandemics, divorce from Europe, short-term prime ministerial innovations. It couldn’t go on. “And so, sadly, we close the doors on Dara and Hugh’s Academy of Dressers. “We couldn’t be any dumber than the news already was. “Many thanks to all our guests over the years, so many of whom have achieved huge success of their own and never texted or called. It was a pleasure!” The show has been credited with being a platform for comedians to become household names with Michael McIntyre, Sarah Millican, Kevin Bridges, John Bishop and Rhod Gilbert all appearing in the early stages of their careers. The BBC said: “The next series of Mock the Week will be our last, we’re really proud of the show but after 21 series we’ve made the difficult decision to make room for new shows. “We’d like to thank Angst Productions, host Dara O’Briain, panelist Hugh Dennis and all the guest comedians who have been on the show over the 21 series.” Subscribe to First Edition, our free daily newsletter – every morning at 7am. BST Angst Productions, the company behind the programme, said: “We are of course very disappointed that Mock the Week is coming to an end and we hope that we will be able to come out again 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 so many 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.” The series was created by Dan Patterson and Mark Leveson, the duo behind the improv comedy series Whose Line Is It Anyway?, which aired in the UK before becoming a hit series in the US. The final episodes of Mock the Week will be shown on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer this autumn.
