List of British comedians

This is a list of comedians of British birth or famous mainly in Britain. Many of the comedy panel-game regulars and sitcom actors may not be regarded as comedians by some people but they are included here because this page uses the word "comedian" in its broadest possible sense. Fictional comedians are not included.

Impressionists

Terry Alderton (born 1970), Spitting Image
Ronni Ancona (born 1966), Alistair McGowan's Big Impression
Chris Barrie (born 1960), Spitting Image
Stanley Baxter (born 1926)
Rory Bremner (born 1961)
Faith Brown (born 1944)
Paul Burling (born 1970)
Brian Conley (born 1961), Alive and Dangerous
Kevin Connelly, Dead Ringers
Phil Cool (born 1948)
Jon Culshaw (born 1968), Dead Ringers, 2DTV
Bobby Davro (born 1958)
Dawn French (born 1957), French and Saunders
Matt Forde (born 1982)
Peter Goodwright (1936–2020)
Mike Hayley
Dave Lamb, 2DTV, Goodness Gracious Me
Alistair McGowan (born 1964), Alistair McGowan's Big Impression
Mark Perry, Dead Ringers, 2DTV
Jan Ravens (born 1958), Dead Ringers, 2DTV
Morgana Robinson (born 1982), The Morgana Show
Jennifer Saunders (born 1958), French and Saunders
Debra Stephenson (born 1972), The Impressions Show with Culshaw and Stephenson
Tracey Ullman (born 1959)
Mike Yarwood (1941–2023)

Musical comedians

Adèle Anderson (born 1952)
Bill Bailey (born 1965)
Les Barker (born 1947)
Mitch Benn (born 1970)
Ivor Biggun, pseudonym of Doc Cox (born 1946)
Harriet Braine
Simon Brint (born 1950), comic and composer of themes for numerous TV programmes
Doc Brown (born 1980)
Alex Horne (born 1978)
Adam Buxton (born 1969), radio host and television/sketch comedy personality
Jasper Carrott (born 1945)
Edwyn Collins (born 1959), writer and performer on Channel 4's West Heath House and West Heath Yard
Billy Connolly (born 1942)
Bernard Cribbins (1928–2022)
Ivor Cutler (1923–2006)
Angus Deayton (born 1956), member of The Hee Bee Gee Bees
Richard Digance (born 1949)
Graham Fellows, aka John Shuttleworth (born 1959)
Noel Fielding (born 1973)
Flanders and Swann (Michael Flanders 1922–1975; Donald Swann 1923–1994)
Flo and Joan
Jay Foreman
Boothby Graffoe (born 1962)
John Hegley (born 1953), also performs as half of the Popticians
Rainer Hersch
Hinge and Bracket
Neil Innes (1944–2019)
Sid Kipper (born Chris Sugden in 1952), also performed as half of the Kipper Family
Andrew Lawrence
Gary Le Strange, aka Waen Shepherd (born 1971)
Tim Minchin (born 1975)
Bill Oddie (born 1941)
Earl Okin (born 1947)
Kev Orkian (born 1974)
Mike Harding (born 1944)
Rachel Parris (born 1984)
Philip Pope, comic actor and composer of TV theme tunes
Rowland Rivron (born 1958), drummer in comedy band Raw Sex and presenter of BBC Radio 2's Jammin
Chris Sievey, aka Frank Sidebottom (1955–2010)
Vivian Stanshall (1943–1995)
Jim Tavaré (born 1963)
Jake Thackray (1938–2002)
Victoria Wood (1953–2016)

Variety and music hall comedians

Chesney Allen (1893–1982)
Arthur Askey (1900–1982)
Charles Austin (1878–1942)
Hylda Baker (1905–1986)
Michael Barrymore (born 1952)
George Beauchamp (1862–1900)
Harry Bedford (1873–1939)
Billy Bennett (1887–1942)
Issy Bonn (1903–1977)
Max Bygraves (1922–2012)
Frank Carson (1926–2012)
Billy Caryll and Hilda Mundy
Roy Castle (1932–1994)
Clapham and Dwyer
Collinson and Dean
Tommy Cooper (1921–1984)
Tom Costello (1863–1943)
Jimmy Cricket (born 1945)
Leslie Crowther (1933–1996)
Billy Danvers (1886–1964)
Les Dawson (1931–1993)
Ken Dodd (1927–2018)
Charlie Drake (1925–2006)
Dick Emery (1915–1983)
Will Evans (1866–1931)
Fayne and Evans
Sid Field (1904–1950)
Bud Flanagan (1896–1968)
Cyril Fletcher (1913–2005)
George Formby (1904–1961)
Bruce Forsyth (1928–2017)
Ken Goodwin (1933–2012)
Haver and Lee
Arthur Haynes (1914–1966)
Dick Henderson (1891–1958)
Dickie Henderson (1922–1985)
Frankie Howerd (1917–1992)
Rex Jameson ("Mrs Shufflewick") (1924–1983)
Yootha Joyce (1927–1980)
Jimmy James (1892–1965)
Kenway and Young
Jimmy Learmouth (1888–1921)
Ray Martine (1928–2002)
Bill Maynard (1928–2018)
Max Miller (1894–1963)
Spike Milligan (1918–2002)
Nat Mills and Bobbie
Bob Monkhouse (1928–2003)
Morecambe and Wise (Eric Morecambe 1926–1984; Ernie Wise 1925–1999)
Dave Morris (1896–1960)
Murray and Mooney
Des O'Connor (1932–2020)
Tom O'Connor (1939–2021)
Edmund Payne (1863–1914)
Frank Randle (1901–1957)
Revnell and West
Ted Rogers (1935–2001)
George Roper (1934–2003)
Billy Russell (1893–1971)
Suzette Tarri (1881–1955)
Tommy Trinder (1908–1989)
Vesta Victoria (1873–1951)
Max Wall (1908–1990)
Elsie and Doris Waters
Jimmy Wheeler (1910–1973)
Charlie Williams (1927–2006)
Robb Wilton (1881–1957)
Wee Georgie Wood (1894–1979)

Radio comedians

Michael Bentine (1922–1996), The Goon Show
Dick Bentley (1907–1995), Take It From Here
Tim Brooke-Taylor (1940–2020), I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again, I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue
John Cleese (born 1939), I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again
Jenny Eclair (born 1960)
Jimmy Edwards (1920–1988), Take It From Here
Kenny Everett (1944–1995)
Graham Fellows (born 1959), plays the characters Jilted John, John Shuttleworth and Brian Appleton
John Finnemore (born 1977), Cabin Pressure, John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme
Cyril Fletcher (1913–2005)
Ronald Frankau (1894–1951)
Graeme Garden (born 1943), I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again, I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue
Jeff Green (born 1964)
Joyce Grenfell (1910–1979)
Deryck Guyler (1914–1999)
Tony Hancock (1924–1968), Hancock's Half Hour
Tommy Handley (1892–1949), It's That Man Again
David Hatch (1939–2007), I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again
Leonard Henry (1890–1973)
Jon Holmes (born 1973), Listen Against, The Now Show
Kenneth Horne (1907–1969), Round the Horne, Beyond Our Ken
Roy Hudd (1936–2020), The News Huddlines
Jo Kendall (1938–2022), I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again, I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue
Harry Korris (1891–1971)
Bill Kerr (1922–2014), Hancock's Half Hour
Victor Lewis-Smith (1959–2022) Loose Ends
Betty Marsden (1919–1998)
Spike Milligan (1918–2002), The Goon Show
Robert Moreton (1922–1957)
Chris Morris (born 1962), On the Hour
Richard Murdoch (1907–1990), Much-Binding-in-the-Marsh
Stephen Murray (1912–1983), The Navy Lark
Joy Nichols (1925–1992), Take It From Here
Bill Oddie (born 1941), I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again
Hugh Paddick (1915–2000)
Bill Pertwee (1926–2013), Beyond Our Ken, Round the Horne
Jon Pertwee (1919–1996), The Navy Lark
Leslie Phillips (1924–2022), The Navy Lark
Dennis Price (1915–1973), The Navy Lark
Ted Ray (1905–1977), Meet Me Tonight, Carry On Teacher
Al Read (1909–1987)
Harry Secombe (1921–2001), The Goon Show
Peter Sellers (1925–1980), The Goon Show
Mark Steel (born 1960), The Mark Steel Solution, The Mark Steel Revolution, The Mark Steel Lectures
Kenneth Williams (1926–1988), Round the Horne

Satirists

Douglas Adams (1952–2001)
Michael "Atters" Attree (born 1965)
Ikenna Azuike (born 1979)
John Bird (1936–2022), Bremner, Bird and Fortune
Eleanor Bron (born 1938)
Munya Chawawa (born 1992)
Peter Cook (1937–1995)
John Fortune (1939–2013), Bremner, Bird and Fortune
Ian Hislop (born 1960), Private Eye
Jon Holmes (born 1973)
Rosie Holt
Armando Iannucci (born 1963)
Nish Kumar, The Mash Report, Hello America
Victor Lewis-Smith (born 1959) Inside Victor Lewis-Smith
Chris Morris (born 1962), Brass Eye
John Oliver (born 1977), Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
William Rushton (1937–1996)
Michael Spicer
Mark Thomas (born 1963), The Mark Thomas Comedy Product
Tom Walker, "Jonathan Pie"
Andy Zaltzman (born 1974)

Comedy panel game regulars

D

Alan Davies, QI, As Yet Untitled, Big Fat Quiz, Would I Lie To You?
Les Dawson, TV comic
Angus Deayton, Would I Lie to You?, former chair of Have I Got News for You
Jack Dee, It's Only TV...but I Like It, The Big Fat Quiz of the Year,I'm Sorry I haven't a Clue,
Hugh Dennis, Mock the Week
Omid Djalili

E

Harry Enfield, Harry Enfield's Television Programme

F

Noel Fielding, The Mighty Boosh, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, The Big Fat Quiz of the Year, The IT Crowd, Unnatural Acts, Nathan Barley
Micky Flanagan, Mock The Week, Epic Win, 8 Out of 10 Cats, Was It Something I Said?
Clement Freud, Just a Minute
Stephen Fry, QI, Fry and Laurie, Blackadder

G

Graeme Garden, I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue
Kerry Godliman, Mock the Week
Dave Gorman, Rob Brydon's Annually Retentive, QI, Modern Life is Goodish
Jeff Green, Shoot the Messenger, Jo Brand's Hot Potatoes

H

Andy Hamilton, The News Quiz, Have I Got News for You, QI
Nick Hancock (born 1962), They Think It's All Over
Jeremy Hardy, The News Quiz, If I Ruled the World, QI
Tony Hawks, I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue
Richard Herring, The 99p Challenge
Ian Hislop, The News Quiz, Have I Got News for You
Simon Hoggart, The News Quiz
Rufus Hound, Argumental
Russell Howard, Mock the Week, Russell Howard's Good News, The Russell Howard Hour
Lee Hurst, They Think It's All Over

I

Richard Ingrams, The News Quiz

J

Elis James, As Yet Untitled
Milton Jones, Mock The Week, Live at the Apollo
Peter Jones, Just a Minute
Rosie Jones, QI, 8 out of 10 Cats
Phill Jupitus, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, QI
Miles Jupp, Mock the Week, Have I Got News for You

K

Sarah Keyworth, Mock the Week, 8 out of 10 Cats
Athena Kugblenu, Mock the Week
Nish Kumar, Mock the Week, The News Quiz, QI

L

Lauren Laverne, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Have I Got News for You, Mock the Week
Laura Lexx, Mock the Week
Cariad Lloyd, QI, Would I Lie to You?
Sean Lock, Have I Got News for You, QI, 8 out of 10 Cats
Josie Long, 8 out of 10 Cats, Never Mind the Buzzcocks
Zoe Lyons, QI, Mock the Week
Humphrey Lyttelton, I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue

M

Lee Mack, Would I Lie to You?
Jason Manford, 8 out of 10 Cats, Would I Lie to You?, Just a Minute, QI, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Room 101, Celebrity Juice
Arthur Marshall, Call My Bluff
Rory McGrath, They Think It's All Over
Michael McIntyre, 8 out of 10 Cats
Paul Merton, Have I Got News for You
Sarah Millican, QI, Would I Lie to You?
David Mitchell, QI, Would I Lie to You?, Mock the Week, The Big Fat Quiz of the Year, The Bubble, The Unbelievable Truth
Diane Morgan, Would I Lie to You?, Have I Got News For You
Robert Morley, Call My Bluff
Frank Muir, Call My Bluff

N

Derek Nimmo, Just a Minute
Ross Noble, Have I Got News for You, QI

P

Sara Pascoe, QI, Have I Got News for You
Rachel Parris, Mock the Week, I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue, QI
Andy Parsons, Mock the Week, QI
Lucy Porter, Mock the Week, Have I Got News for You, Never Mind the Buzzcocks
Sue Perkins, Just a Minute, The News Quiz, The 99p Challenge
Katie Perry, An Audience with Keith Parry, The Paul O'Grady Show

R

Robin Ray, Call My Bluff
Jon Richardson, 8 out of 10 Cats
Jonathan Ross, They Think It's All Over, It's Only TV...but I Like It, Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, The Big Fat Quiz of the Year, The Jonathan Ross Show
Suzi Ruffell, Mock the Week, QI
Willie Rushton, I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue

S

Linda Smith, The News Quiz, QI
Lou Sanders, QI, Would I Lie to You?, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, 8 Out of 10 Cats
Isy Suttie, As Yet Untitled

T

Sandi Toksvig, Call My Bluff, chair of The News Quiz, QI
Barry Took, The News Quiz

W

Mark Watson, Mock the Week, Would I Lie To You, QI
Robert Webb, Argumental
Francis Wheen, The News Quiz
Jack Whitehall, A League of Their Own, Dave's One Night Stand, Mock the Week, 8 out of 10 Cats, QI
Josh Widdicombe, Would I Lie To You, As Yet Untitled, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, QI
Joe Wilkinson, 8 Out of 10 Cats, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, Live at the Electric
Kenneth Williams, Just a Minute

Sketch show/alternative comedians

The League Of Gentlemen
- Mark Gatiss (born 1966)
- Steve Pemberton (born 1967)
- Reece Shearsmith (born 1969)
- Jeremy Dyson (born 1966)
Armstrong and Miller
- Alexander Armstrong (born 1970)
- Ben Miller (born 1966)
Richard Ayoade (born 1977), Noel Fielding's Luxury Comedy
James Bachman, That Mitchell and Webb Look, Sorry, I've Got No Head
David Baddiel (born 1964), The Mary Whitehouse Experience, Fantasy Football League
Matt Berry (born 1974), Snuff Box
Sanjeev Bhaskar (born 1963), Goodness Gracious Me
Katy Brand (born 1979), Katy Brand's Big Ass Show
Jasper Carrott (born 1945)
Craig Charles (born 1964)
Olivia Colman (born 1974), Bruiser
Brian Conley (born 1961)
Hugh Dennis (born 1962), The Mary Whitehouse Experience
Charlie Drake (1925–2006)
Adrian Edmondson (born 1957)
Kevin Eldon (born 1960), Fist of Fun, Big Train, Jam
Dick Emery (1915–1983)
Harry Enfield (born 1961), Harry Enfield and Chums
Kenny Everett (1944–1995)
The Fast Show
- Caroline Aherne (1963–2016)
- Simon Day (born 1962)
- Charlie Higson (born 1958)
- John Thomson (born 1969)
- Arabella Weir (born 1957)
- Paul Whitehouse (born 1958)
- Mark Williams (born 1959)
Noel Fielding (born 1973), Noel Fielding's Luxury Comedy
Gregor Fisher (born 1953), Naked Video
Martin Freeman, Bruiser
Dawn French (born 1957), French and Saunders
Stephen Fry (born 1957), A Bit of Fry & Laurie
The Goodies
- Tim Brooke-Taylor (1940–2020)
- Graeme Garden (born 1943)
- Bill Oddie (born 1941)
Anil Gupta, Goodness Gracious Me
Arthur Haynes (1914–1966)
Patricia Hayes (1909–1998)
Lenny Henry (born 1958)
Benny Hill (1924–1992)
Harry Hill (born 1964)
Matthew Holness (born 1975), Bruiser, Garth Marenghi's Darkplace
Dom Joly (born 1967)
Rufus Jones (born 1975)
John Junkin (1930–2006)
Hugh Laurie (born 1959), A Bit of Fry & Laurie
Matt Lucas, Little Britain
Rik Mayall (1958–2014)
Spike Milligan (1918–2002)
David Mitchell (born 1974), That Mitchell and Webb Look
Monty Python
- Graham Chapman (1941–1989)
- John Cleese (born 1939)
- Terry Gilliam (born 1940)
- Eric Idle (born 1943)
- Terry Jones (1942–2020)
- Michael Palin (born 1943)
Morecambe and Wise
- Eric Morecambe (1926–1984)
- Ernie Wise (1925–1999)
Bob Mortimer (born 1959)
Rob Newman (born 1964), The Mary Whitehouse Experience
Not the Nine O'Clock News
- Rowan Atkinson (born 1955)
- Griff Rhys Jones (born 1953)
- Mel Smith (1952–2013)
- Pamela Stephenson (born 1949)
Nicholas Parsons (1923–2020)
Nigel Planer (born 1953)
Steve Punt (born 1962), The Mary Whitehouse Experience
Vic Reeves (born 1959)
Peter Richardson (born 1951), The Comic Strip
Jennifer Saunders (born 1958)
Alexei Sayle (born 1952)
Peter Serafinowicz (born 1972)
Frank Skinner (born 1957)
Smack the Pony
- Fiona Allen (born 1965)
- Doon Mackichan (born 1962)
- Sally Phillips (born 1970)
Laura Solon (born 1979), Ruddy Hell! It's Harry and Paul, Al Murray's Multiple Personality Disorder
Meera Syal (born 1961), Goodness Gracious Me, The Kumars at No. 42
Catherine Tate (born 1968), The Catherine Tate Show
The Two Ronnies
- Ronnie Barker (1929–2005)
- Ronnie Corbett (1930–2016)
Tracey Ullman (born 1959)
David Walliams (born 1971), Little Britain
Robert Webb (born 1972), That Mitchell and Webb Look, Bruiser
Ellie White (born 1989)
Harry Worth (1917–1989)

Film

Rowan Atkinson (born 1955), Mr Bean's Holiday, Mr Bean, Johnny English, Johnny English Reborn
Russell Brand, St Trinians, Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Bernard Bresslaw (1934–1993)
Charlie Chaplin (1889–1977)
John Cleese (born 1939), Monty Python films
Sacha Baron Cohen (born 1971), Ali G, Borat, Brüno
Robbie Coltrane (1950–2022)
Steve Coogan (born 1965)
Ade Edmondson, Guest House Paradiso
Lee Evans (born 1964)
Marty Feldman (1933–1982), Young Frankenstein
George Formby (1904–1961)
Martin Freeman (born 1971)
Nick Frost, Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz
Terry Gilliam (born 1940), Monty Python films
Will Hay (1888–1949)
Eric Idle (born 1943), Monty Python films
Sid James (1913–1976), Carry On films
Terry Jones (1942–2020), Monty Python films
Stan Laurel (1890–1965), half of Laurel and Hardy
Rik Mayall, Drop Dead Fred, Guest House Paradiso
Michael Palin (born 1943), Monty Python films
Monty Python
Dudley Moore (1935–2002), Arthur, 10
Bill Nighy (born 1949)
Simon Pegg, Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz
Leonard Rossiter (1926–1984)
Peter Sellers (1925–1980), Dr. Strangelove, Inspector Clouseau films
Alastair Sim (1900–1976), Green for Danger, The Belles of St Trinian's
Eric Sykes (1923–2012)
Terry Thomas (1911–1990), The Green Man, Private's Progress, Brothers in Law
Kenneth Williams (1926–1988), Carry On films
Norman Wisdom (1915–2010)

Theatrical comedians

Arthur Lowe (1915–1982), played in the theatre from his debut in 1945 until his death in 1982
Margaret Rutherford (1892–1972), started performing from 1925 at the Old Vic and continued her career till 1966

Sitcom comedians

Caroline Aherne (1963–2016), The Royle Family
Emily Atack (born 1989), The Inbetweeners
Rowan Atkinson (born 1955), Blackadder, The Thin Blue Line, Mr. Bean
Helen Atkinson-Wood (born 1955), Blackadder the Third, Radio Active radio series
Richard Ayoade (born 1977), Garth Marenghi's Darkplace, The IT Crowd
Bill Bailey (born 1964), Spaced, Black Books
Morwenna Banks (born 1961), The Thick of It, Ruddy Hell! It's Harry and Paul, Saxondale
Ronnie Barker (1929–2005), Porridge, Open All Hours
Chris Barrie (born 1960), Red Dwarf, The Brittas Empire
Mathew Baynton (born 1980), "Ghosts"
Norman Beaton (1934–1994), Desmond's, The Fosters
Richard Beckinsale (1947–1979), Porridge, Rising Damp
Matt Berry (born 1974), Garth Marenghi's Darkplace, The IT Crowd, The Mighty Boosh
Jack Binstead (born 1996), Bad Education
Simon Bird (born 1984, The Inbetweeners, Friday Night Dinner
James Bolam (born 1935), The Likely Lads, Only When I Laugh
Jo Brand (born 1957), Getting On, Going Forward
Richard Briers (1934–2013), The Good Life, Ever Decreasing Circles
James Buckley (born 1987), The Inbetweeners, Zapped, White Gold, I Feel Bad
Kathy Burke (born 1964), Gimme Gimme Gimme
Patrick Cargill (1918–1996), Father, Dear Father
Natalie Casey (born 1980), Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps
John Challis (1942–2021), Only Fools and Horses, The Green Green Grass
Emma Chambers (1964–2018), The Vicar of Dibley
Craig Charles (born 1964), Red Dwarf
John Cleese (born 1939), Fawlty Towers
Martin Clunes (born 1961), Men Behaving Badly, Reggie Perrin
Michaela Coel (born 1987), "Chewing Gum"
Ronnie Corbett (1930–2016), Sorry!
Judy Cornwell (born 1940), Keeping Up Appearances
Matthew Cottle (born 1967), Game On, Citizen Khan
Michael Crawford (born 1942), Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em
Jack Davenport (born 1973), Coupling
Windsor Davies (1930–2019), It Ain't Half Hot Mum, Never the Twain
Julia Davis (born 1966), Nighty Night
Lucy Davis (born 1973), The Office, The Villains of Valley View
Richard Dawson (1932–2012), Hogan's Heroes
Angus Deayton (born 1956), Nighty Night, One Foot in the Grave
Jamie Demetriou (born 1987), "Stath Lets Flats"
James Dreyfus (born 1968), The Thin Blue Line, My Hero, Gimme Gimme Gimme
Clive Dunn (1920–2012), Boys Will Be Boys, Dad's Army
Paul Eddington (1927–1995), The Good Life, Yes Minister
Adrian Edmondson (born 1957), The Young Ones, Bottom
Jimmy Edwards (1920–1988), Whack-O!
Barry Evans (1943–1997), Doctor in the House, Mind Your Language
Simon Farnaby (born 1973), "Ghosts"
Noel Fielding (born 1973), The Mighty Boosh, The IT Crowd
James Fleet (born 1952), The Vicar of Dibley
Jane Freeman (1935–2017), Last of the Summer Wine
Martin Freeman (born 1971), The Office, Hardware
Dawn French (born 1957), The Vicar of Dibley
Nick Frost (born 1972), Spaced, Hyperdrive
Robert Fyfe (1930–2021), Last of the Summer Wine
Tony Gardner (born 1964), My Parents Are Aliens, Lead Balloon
Ricky Gervais (born 1961), The Office, Extras
Tamsin Greig (born 1966), Black Books, Green Wing
Deryck Guyler (1914–1999), Please Sir!, Sykes
Sarah Hadland (born 1971), Miranda
Tony Hancock (1924–1968), Hancock's Half Hour
Blake Harrison (born 1985), The Inbetweeners, Kate & Koji
Miranda Hart (born 1972), Miranda
Nick Helm (born 1980), Uncle
Julia Hills (born 1957), 2point4 Children
Jane Horrocks (born 1964), Absolutely Fabulous
Martha Howe-Douglas (born 1980), "Ghosts"
Karl Howman (born 1952), Brush Strokes
Peter Howitt (born 1957), Bread
Jessica Hynes (born 1972), Spaced
Celia Imrie (born 1952), dinnerladies, After You've Gone
John Inman (1935–2007), Are You Being Served
Jameela Jamil (born 1986), The Good Place
David Jason (born 1940), Only Fools and Horses, Open All Hours
Danny John-Jules (born 1960), Red Dwarf
Lesley Joseph (born 1945), Birds of a Feather
Peter Kay (born 1973), Phoenix Nights, Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere
Gorden Kaye (1941–2017), 'Allo 'Allo!
Penelope Keith (born 1940), The Good Life, To the Manor Born
Matt King (born 1968), Peep Show
Jessica Knappett (born 1984), Drifters
Belinda Lang (born 1953), 2point4 Children
John Laurie (1897–1980), Juno and the Paycock, Dad's Army
John Le Mesurier (1912–1983), Dad's Army
Helen Lederer (born 1954) Absolutely Fabulous
Jane Leeves (born 1961), Frasier, Hot in Cleveland
Robert Lindsay (born 1949), Citizen Smith, Nightingales, My Family
Maureen Lipman (born 1946), Agony, Agony Again
Ralf Little (born 1980), The Royle Family, Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps
Robert Llewellyn (born 1956), Red Dwarf
Roger Lloyd-Pack (1944–2014), Only Fools and Horses, The Vicar of Dibley
Arthur Lowe (1915–1982), Dad's Army, Bless Me Father
Joanna Lumley (born 1946), Absolutely Fabulous
Nicholas Lyndhurst (born 1961), Only Fools and Horses, Butterflies, Goodnight Sweetheart
John Mahoney (1940–2018), Frasier
Millicent Martin (born 1934), Frasier, Grace and Frankie
Rik Mayall (1958–2014), The Young Ones, Bottom, The New Statesman
Nichola McAuliffe (born 1955), Surgical Spirit
Greg McHugh (born 1980), Gary: Tank Commander, Fresh Meat
Will Mellor (born 1976), Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps
Stephen Merchant (born 1974), The Office, Extras
Buster Merryfield (1920–1999), Only Fools and Horses
Ben Miles (born 1966), Coupling
David Mitchell (born 1974), Peep Show
Warren Mitchell (1926–2015), Till Death Us Do Part
Diane Morgan (born 1975), Motherland, Rovers
Neil Morrissey (born 1962), Men Behaving Badly
Brian Murphy (born 1933), Man About the House, George and Mildred, Last of the Summer Wine
Al Murray (born 1968), Time Gentlemen Please
Kunal Nayyar (born 1981), The Big Bang Theory
Robin Nedwell (1946–1999), Doctor in the House
Paul Nicholas (born 1945), Just Good Friends
Gary Olsen (1957–2000), 2point4 Children
Bill Owen (1914–1999), Last of the Summer Wine
Geoffrey Palmer (1927–2020), The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin, Butterflies, As Time Goes By
Katherine Parkinson (born 1977/1978), The IT Crowd
Trevor Peacock (1931–2021), The Vicar of Dibley
Simon Pegg (born 1970), Spaced
Vicki Pepperdine (born 1961), Getting On, Bad Education
Bill Pertwee (1926–2013), Dad's Army, It Ain't Half Hot Mum
Duncan Preston (born 1946), dinnerladies
Lucy Punch (born 1977), Ben and Kate, Motherland, Bloods
Caroline Quentin (born 1960), Men Behaving Badly, Kiss Me Kate
Pauline Quirke (born 1959), Birds of a Feather, Office Gossip
Adil Ray (born 1974), Citizen Khan
Anne Reid (born 1935), dinnerladies
Laurence Rickard (born 1975), "Ghosts"
Charlotte Ritchie (born 1989), "Fresh Meat", "Ghosts"
Tony Robinson (born 1946), Blackadder
Linda Robson (born 1958), Birds of a Feather
Leonard Rossiter (1926–1984), The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin, Rising Damp
Patricia Routledge (born 1929), Keeping Up Appearances
Andrew Sachs (1930–2016), Fawlty Towers
Peter Sallis (1921–2017), Last of the Summer Wine
Jennifer Saunders (born 1958), Absolutely Fabulous
Julia Sawalha (born 1968), Absolutely Fabulous
Prunella Scales (born 1932), Fawlty Towers, After Henry
Joan Sims (1930–2001), Til Death Us Do Part, Sykes, On the Up, As Time Goes By
Kiell Smith-Bynoe (born 1989), "Stath Lets Flats", "Ghosts", "Man Like Mobeen"
Sheridan Smith (born 1981), The Royale Family, Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps
Isy Suttie (born 1978), Peep Show
Eric Sykes (1923–2012), Sykes
Liza Tarbuck (born 1964), Watching, The Big Breakfast, Linda Greene, Mount Pleasant, Saxondale
Josephine Tewson (1931–2022), Keeping Up Appearances, Last of the Summer Wine, Shelley
Joe Thomas (born 1983), The Inbetweeners, White Gold
Catherine Tyldesley (born 1983), Scarborough
Reg Varney (1916–2008), The Rag Trade, On the Buses
Anjana Vasan (born 1987), "We Are Lady Parts", "Fresh Meat"
Jennifer Veal (born 1991), As the Bell Rings, Jessie
Gary Waldhorn (1943–2022), Brush Strokes, The Vicar of Dibley
Rudolph Walker (born 1939), Love Thy Neighbour, The Thin Blue Line
Julie Walters (born 1950), dinnerladies
Robert Webb (born 1972), Peep Show, The Smoking Room
Charlie Wernham (born 1994). Bad Education
Jack Whitehall (born 1988), Bad Education
June Whitfield (1925–2018), Terry and June, Absolutely Fabulous
Brian Wilde (1921–2008), Last of the Summer Wine, Porridge
Ben Willbond (born 1973) "Ghosts", "The Thick of It"
Richard Wilson (born 1936), Only When I Laugh, One Foot in the Grave
Penelope Wilton (born 1946), Ever Decreasing Circles
Sir Norman Wisdom (1915–2010), Wit and Wisdom
Victoria Wood (1953–2016), dinnerladies
Mike Wozniak (born 1979), "Man Down"
Matilda Ziegler (born 1964), Mr. Bean

Spoof show comedians

Sacha Baron Cohen, The 11 O'Clock Show, Da Ali G Show
Steve Coogan, Knowing Me, Knowing You
Daisy May Cooper, This Country
Rebecca Front, On The Hour, The Day Today, Knowing Me, Knowing You
Ricky Gervais, The Office
Matthew Holness, Garth Marenghi's Darkplace
Paul Kaye, aka Dennis Pennis
Chris Langham, People Like Us
Doon Mackichan, Brass Eye, Knowing Me, Knowing You
Chris Morris (born 1965), Brass Eye, Blue Jam, The Day Today
John Oliver, The Daily Show
Peter Serafinowicz, Look Around You, Peter Serafinowicz Show
Victoria Wood, Acorn Antiques

Stand-up comedians

A

Russ Abbot (born 1947)
James Acaster (born 1985)
Maisie Adam
Will Adamsdale (born 1974)
Terry Alderton (born 1970)
Babatunde Aleshe
Stephen K. Amos (born 1967)
Avril Angers (1918–2005)
Bennett Arron (born 1973)
Shaista Aziz (born 1978)
Sadia Azmat (born 1987)

B

Bill Bailey (born 1964)
Angela Barnes (born 1976)
Julian Barratt (born 1968)
Alistair Barrie
Aaron Barschak (born 1966)
Rob Beckett (born 1986)
Ninia Benjamin
Katherine Bennett (born 1976)
Danny Bhoy (born 1974)
John Bishop (born 1966)
Bethany Black (born 1978)
Adam Bloom (born 1971)
Jo Brand (born 1957)
Russell Brand (born 1975)
Marcus Brigstocke (born 1973)
Jen Brister (born 1975)
Doc Brown (born 1977)
Roy 'Chubby' Brown (born 1945)

C

Rhona Cameron (born 1965)
Alan Carr (born 1976)
Jimmy Carr (born 1972)
Jasper Carrott (born 1945)
Jo Caulfield (born 1963)
Ted Chippington (born 1962)
Bridget Christie (born 1971)
Craig Charles (born 1964)
Laurence Clark (born 1974)
Julian Clary (born 1959)
Roisin Conaty (born 1979)
Billy Connolly (born 1942)
Janice Connolly (born 1954)
Phil Cool (born 1948)
Nina Conti (born 1974)
Lewis Costello (born 1993)

D

Jim Davidson (born 1954)
Greg Davies (born 1968)
Jack Dee (born 1961)
Les Dennis (born 1953)
Ken Dodd (1927–2018)
Joel Dommett (born 1985)
Sophie Duker

E

Ben Elton (born 1959)
Jo Enright (born 1968)
Lee Evans (born 1964)

F

Simon Fanshawe (born 1956)
Noel Fielding (born 1973)
Micky Flanagan (born 1962)
Paul Foot (born 1973)

G

Ed Gamble (born 1986)
Ricky Gervais (born 1961)
Rhod Gilbert (born 1968)
Mo Gilligan (born 1988)
Janey Godley (1961-2024)
Kerry Godliman (born 1973)
Dave Gorman (born 1971)
Boothby Graffoe (born 1962)
Ivo Graham (born 1990)
Jeff Green (born 1964)

H

Malcolm Hardee (1950–2005)
Mike Harding (born 1944)
Jeremy Hardy (1961–2019)
Natalie Haynes (born 1974)
Miranda Hart (born 1972)
Richard Herring (born 1967)
Wil Hodgson (born 1978)
Dominic Holland (born 1967)
Rufus Hound (born 1979)
Russell Howard (born 1980)
Frankie Howerd (1917–1992)
Lee Hurst (born 1962)

I

Robin Ince (born 1969)
Suzy Eddie Izzard (born 1962)

J

Jimeoin (born 1966)
Jimmy Jones (born 1938)
Milton Jones (born 1964)
Phill Jupitus (born 1962)

K

Russell Kane (born 1975)
Peter Kay (born 1973)
Phil Kay (born 1969)
Sarah Keyworth
Shaparak Khorsandi (born 1973)
Daniel Kitson (born 1977)

L

Andrew Lawrence (born 1979)
Stewart Lee (born 1968)
Sean Lock (1963–2021)
Josie Long (born 1982)
Norman Lovett (born 1946)
Joe Lycett (born 1988)

M

Lee Mack (born 1968)
Jason Manford (born 1981)
Bernard Manning (1930–2007)
Francesca Martinez (born 1978)
Chris McCausland (born 1977)
Michael McIntyre (born 1976)
Stephen Merchant (born 1974)
Sarah Millican (born 1975)
Shazia Mirza (born 1976)
John Moloney
Bob Monkhouse (1928–2003)
Eleanor Morton
Simon Munnery (born 1967)
Al Murray (born 1968)

N

Ross Noble (born 1976)

O

John Oliver (born 1977)
Andrew O'Neill (born 1979)
Kev Orkian (born 1974)
Andi Osho (born 1973)

P

Papa CJ
Sara Pascoe (born 1981)
Lee Peart (born 1990)
Sue Perkins (born 1969)
Lucy Porter (born 1973)

R

Romesh Ranganathan (born 1978)
Jon Richardson (born 1982)
Matt Richardson (born 1991)
Abi Roberts (born 1976)
John Robins (born 1982)
George Roper (1934–2003)
Adam Rowe (born 1992)
Suzi Ruffell (born 1986)

S

Lou Sanders
Ahir Shah
Frank Skinner (born 1957)
Daniel Sloss (born 1990)
Gordon Southern
Freddie Starr (1943–2019)
Mark Steel (born 1960)
Ian Stone (born 1963)

T

Jimmy Tarbuck (born 1940)
Ellie Taylor (born 1983)
Mackenzie Taylor (1978–2010)
Paul Taylor (born 1986)
Dave Thompson (born 1960)

V

Johnny Vegas (born 1971)
Ava Vidal (born 1976)
Andre Vincent (born 1964)
Tim Vine (born 1967)
Eros Vlahos (born 1995)

W

Oliver Wakefield (1909–1956), "The Voice of Inexperience"
Rick Wakeman (born 1949)
Holly Walsh (born 1980)
Seann Walsh (born 1985)
Mark Watson (born 1980)
Jack Whitehall (born 1988)
Josh Widdicombe (born 1983)
Joe Wilkinson (born 1975)
Mike Wozniak (born 1979)

Y

Gina Yashere (born 1974)

Z

Andy Zaltzman (born 1974)

Comedy double acts

Adam and Joe
Ant and Dec
Armstrong and Miller
Baddiel and Skinner
Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding
Cannon and Ball
Peter Cook and Dudley Moore
Flanagan and Allen, also appeared as part of The Crazy Gang
Flanders and Swann
French and Saunders
Frisky & Mannish
Fry and Laurie
Hale and Pace
Hinge and Bracket
Hudson and Pepperdine
Lee and Herring
Little and Large
Matt Lucas and David Walliams (Little Britain)
Mel and Sue
Mitchell and Webb
Morecambe and Wise
Naughton and Gold, also appeared as part of the Crazy Gang
Nervo and Knox, also appeared as part of the Crazy Gang
Newman and Baddiel
John Oliver and Andy Zaltzman (The Bugle)
Parsons and Naylor
Punt and Dennis
Reeves and Mortimer
Mel Smith and Griff Rhys Jones
The Two Ronnies
Watson & Oliver

Poets with a comedic bent

Blog and internet humourists

Cartoonists, caricaturists, etc.

Barry Appleby (1909–1996), Skit and Skat, The Gambols
George Cruikshank (1792–1878)
Chris Donald (born 1960), Viz
James Gillray (1757–1815)
William Hogarth (1697–1764)
Gerald Scarfe
Bill Tidy (1933–2023)

Raconteurs and after-dinner speakers

Barry Cryer (1935–2022)
Lance Percival (1933–2015)
Peter Ustinov (1921–2004)
Rick Wakeman (born 1949)
Kenneth Williams (1926–1988)

References