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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Victoria Johns

Iconic BBC celebrity show that ran for 21 series to be brought back by Amazon

Amazon has revealed it's bringing back Mock the Week after it was axed from the BBC in November.

The celebrity panel show was a huge hit for the broadcaster and ran for 21 series, but it was canned last year to 'make way for other programmes'.

However, Amazon Freevee is giving the comedy offering a new lease of life as it airs in the US next year.

The show will be produced by the Daily Show's Trevor Noah with input from Mock the Week's creator, Dan Patterson.

Discussing his involvement in the show, Trevor said: 'Two things I'm most passionate about in life are paying my landlord and making people laugh.

"We could all use a little bit more laughter as we continue to navigate today's crazy world.

Amazon has revealed it's bringing back Mock the Week after it was axed from the BBC (© Neil Genower)

"By bringing Mock The Week to America with the talented Dan Patterson, I'm looking forward to doing just that."

The comedy series hosted by Dara O'Briain, first aired on BBC Two in 2005.

There have been more than 200 episodes of the topical treat, which saw the likes of Hugh Dennis, Frankie Boyle and Katherine Ryan mock the news of the day.

As the show's final episode aired last year, Dara said: "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.

The show ran for 21 series (BBC/Angst Productions/Colin Hutton)

"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!"

A statement by the BBC confirmed: '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.

Trevor Noah will be producing the revamped version (Getty Images for The Recording A)

"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.

Executives at Freevee think the show will do well in the states, as Lauren Anderson, head of AVOD Originals, unscripted, and targeted programming, Amazon Studios, said: “For years, ‘Mock the Week’ delivered a witty spin on the news — entertaining a broad cross-section of the UK audience through funny conversations, one-liners, and improv comedy.

"In one episode, you can catch up on weekly headlines, hear multiple points of view on a topic, and find your next favourite stand-up comedian."

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