Who is the Most Popular UK Comedian?

comedyinyoureye
Mar 12
11 min read

Who is the most popular comedian in the UK

Who is the Most Popular UK Comedian?

The United Kingdom has long been a fertile ground for comedic talent, producing performers who have brought laughter to millions both domestically and internationally. From the observational wit of stand-up to the ensemble brilliance of sketch shows, British comedy holds a unique place in the entertainment landscape. But when the question arises, "Who is the most popular uk comedian?", the answer becomes less clear-cut. Popularity, in the realm of comedy, is a multifaceted beast, influenced by ticket sales, television ratings, social media buzz, critical acclaim, and the ever-shifting sands of public opinion. This exploration will delve into various metrics to understand the current landscape of popular UK comedians, acknowledging from the outset that the notion of a single "most popular" figure is inherently subjective.

The Consistent Crowd-Pleasers: Examining Recurring Names in Popularity Lists

One way to gauge a comedian's popularity is to observe their consistent presence in various rankings and lists compiled over time. YouGov's popularity ranking from 2023 offers a snapshot of public opinion, featuring a mix of established and contemporary names. Legends like Ronnie Barker and Billy Connolly, with approval ratings of 79% and 76% respectively, demonstrate an enduring appeal that transcends recent activity, likely rooted in nostalgia and their iconic status within British comedy history. They are joined by more contemporary figures such as Peter Kay (70%), Dawn French (70%), Alan Davies (60%), Sarah Millican (60%), Ronnie Corbett (60%), Bradley Walsh (60%), Harry Hill (58%), and Jo Brand (56%), indicating their current relevance and wide public appeal. IMDb's list of the top 20 UK comedians provides another perspective, including Rowan Atkinson and Michael McIntyre, suggesting that popularity can also be significantly influenced by success in film and television. Rowan Atkinson's global fame through characters like Mr. Bean and Blackadder showcases international recognition as a powerful form of popularity.

Moving into 2024, Chortle's report on the "best-known" versus "most-loved" comedians adds another layer to the analysis. While Alan Carr was identified as the "best-known" with 97% recognition, Peter Kay emerged as the "most-loved" with a 74% approval rating. This highlights a crucial distinction: being widely recognized does not always equate to being positively regarded. The top ten most popular comedians in this 2024 YouGov poll included Ronnie Corbett (70%), Dawn French (69%), Ronnie Barker (69%), Billy Connolly (64%), Johnny Vegas (63%), Kenneth Williams (62%), Bradley Walsh (61%), John Bishop (60%), and Ricky Gervais (60%). Notably, Ricky Gervais, while highly "known" (96%), had a slightly lower "loved" rating, hinting at a more potentially divisive comedic style. Another YouGov poll from 2024 focusing on fame listed Peter Kay, David Walliams, Michael McIntyre, Ricky Gervais, Harry Hill, Alan Davies, Jo Brand, Billy Connolly, Jimmy Carr, and Bradley Walsh as the most famous. Comparing these lists reveals that Peter Kay and Michael McIntyre consistently appear as both highly famous and popular, suggesting a strong overall public standing. The recurring presence of these names across different lists and timeframes indicates a sustained level of recognition and a broad appeal to the UK public.

Box Office Barometers: Investigating Stand-Up Tour Success

Beyond general popularity polls, a tangible measure of a comedian's drawing power is their success in the live stand-up circuit. Examining recent tour ticket sales and attendance figures provides valuable insights into who is currently commanding the largest audiences. Peter Kay's 2010-2011 tour, for instance, was so phenomenally successful that it earned a place in the Guinness Book of Records , highlighting an exceptional level of popularity and audience demand in the live comedy scene. This historical success sets a significant benchmark for evaluating his current and future tours.

Indeed, Peter Kay topped the 2024 rich list for comedians, largely attributed to his residency tour which generated an impressive £27 million in gross revenue. This substantial financial success underscores his current ability to attract massive audiences to his live performances. His overall fortune was estimated at £34.6 million in 2024 , further indicating the financial impact of his continued popularity, likely driven significantly by his ongoing and highly successful live shows which are scheduled to extend into December 2025. In comparison, Michael McIntyre's tour earnings for 2024 were reported at £10.3 million , a significant figure in its own right but considerably lower than Peter Kay's. It's worth noting that Michael McIntyre achieved global recognition in 2012 when he was reported to be the highest-grossing stand-up comedian worldwide , demonstrating his historical capacity to draw massive audiences internationally. His "Macnificent" tour in 2023 also saw numerous sold-out shows across the UK , confirming his continued popularity as a touring comedian. Similarly, Peter Kay's "Better Late Than Never" tour in 2023 experienced overwhelming demand, leading to website crashes during ticket sales and the addition of numerous extra dates. His decision to keep ticket prices at the same level as his 2010 tour, despite the immense demand, is also noteworthy.

Other prominent UK comedians also demonstrate significant popularity through their touring activities. Romesh Ranganathan's "The Warm Ups" tour in 2023 included a sold-out show in New York , indicating international appeal. Sarah Millican's "Bobby Dazzler" tour featured dates in the United States in 2023 , showcasing her international following. Jack Whitehall's "Settle Down" tour in 2023 had an extensive list of dates across the UK and reported high demand. Mo Gilligan's "Black British Takeover" tour in 2023 also saw sold-out shows at major venues. Moving into 2024, Michael McIntyre's "Macnificent" tour continued with sold-out shows in the UK and international dates planned. Peter Kay's "Better Late Than Never" tour continued to break records in 2024 and 2025, with more dates added due to phenomenal demand. Ricky Gervais toured with "Mortality" in 2024 and 2025, with sold-out shows in Europe. Romesh Ranganathan's "Hustle" tour spanned the UK and Europe in 2024. Sarah Millican's "Late Bloomer" tour included dates in the US and Canada in 2024 and 2025. Jack Whitehall toured with his father in "Jack & Michael Whitehall: Live" in late 2024. Mo Gilligan's "In The Moment World Tour" had extensive dates across the UK and internationally in 2024 and 2025. This overview of recent touring activity strongly suggests that Peter Kay has achieved exceptional success in the live comedy scene, potentially making him a leading contender for the title of "most popular" based on this metric. Michael McIntyre, Ricky Gervais, Romesh Ranganathan, Sarah Millican, Jack Whitehall, and Mo Gilligan also demonstrate significant popularity through their ability to attract large audiences to their live shows, both domestically and internationally.

Reaching the Nation: Analysing Television Viewership and Ratings

Television remains a powerful medium for comedians to reach a broad national audience, and viewership figures for their shows can provide another valuable indicator of popularity. In 2023, the final episode of the sitcom "Ghosts" was the most-watched new British comedy episode, attracting 6.62 million viewers. Michael McIntyre's Big Show also garnered a significant audience with 5.75 million viewers. Long-running panel shows continue to hold their appeal, with Have I Got News For You, The Graham Norton Show, Blankety Blank, Mrs Brown's Boys, and For The Love Of Paul O'Grady all drawing over 4 million viewers. Taskmaster's Series 16 premiere, after its move to Channel 4, reached 2.39 million viewers.

Moving into 2024, the landscape shifted slightly. The highly anticipated finale of Gavin & Stacey topped the comedy viewership charts with an impressive 19.11 million viewers. The Wallace & Gromit special featuring Peter Kay also achieved massive popularity, drawing 16.29 million viewers. Other highly-rated comedy programs included Outnumbered, Ludwig, and Michael McIntyre's Big Show, all exceeding 5 million viewers. Have I Got News For You continued its strong performance with 4.52 million viewers, and Michael McIntyre's 25th Year Stand-Up Special also attracted a substantial audience of 4.41 million. Mrs Brown's Boys maintained its popularity with 3.88 million viewers, followed by Would I Lie To You? with 3.79 million and The Big Fat Quiz Of The Year with 3.01 million. The trajectory of Taskmaster's popularity is also notable. During its initial run on Dave, viewership showed a general upward trend, starting from over 420,000 viewers in Series 1 and reaching an average of over 930,000 viewers by Series 3. Its successful move to Channel 4 saw a significant increase in reach, with the first episode of a later series achieving 3.9 million consolidated views and proving particularly popular with younger viewers. Would I Lie To You? has also consistently attracted a significant television audience over its many series, with initial episodes drawing around 3.8 million viewers and later series generally maintaining figures between 2.7 and 3.3 million, with a peak of 4 million for the Series 5 premiere. In contrast, Mock the Week, while highly popular at its peak with over 3 million viewers in 2008, saw its audience decline to around 1.5 million by the time of its cancellation. These figures suggest that Michael McIntyre consistently features in popular television shows with high viewership, demonstrating his strong presence in mainstream media. Peter Kay's involvement in television events also draws massive audiences. Furthermore, the enduring popularity of panel shows like Have I Got News For You, Would I Lie To You?, and Taskmaster, which regularly feature a diverse range of UK comedians, provides significant national exposure for many comedic talents.

The Social Media Scoreboard: Assessing Online Following and Engagement

In today's digital age, a comedian's popularity is also reflected in their online presence and engagement on social media platforms. These platforms offer a direct line of communication with fans, allowing comedians to build communities, promote their work, and maintain relevance.

Ricky Gervais boasts a massive Twitter following of 12 million , showcasing his significant online reach and influence. Jack Whitehall also commands a substantial online presence with over 5.8 million followers on Twitter, more than 3.4 million on Instagram, over 1.32 million subscribers on YouTube, and more than 3.5 million followers on TikTok. Michael McIntyre has a significant YouTube presence with over 611,000 subscribers and an Instagram following nearing a million. Peter Kay, while perhaps less active on social media, has an official YouTube channel with over 280,000 subscribers and joined Instagram in 2022. Romesh Ranganathan has a strong Instagram presence with over 1 million followers and an active Twitter account , as well as a YouTube channel with over 52,000 subscribers. Sarah Millican engages with fans on Twitter and has a significant YouTube channel with over 560,000 subscribers , along with a presence on Instagram and TikTok. Mo Gilligan has a strong following on Instagram (approaching a million) , TikTok (over 468,000) , and YouTube (over 190,000) , as well as a Twitter presence. This overview indicates that Ricky Gervais and Jack Whitehall have particularly large followings across multiple social media platforms, suggesting a very broad online appeal. Michael McIntyre and Peter Kay also have significant online presences. Romesh Ranganathan, Sarah Millican, and Mo Gilligan are also building strong online communities, with Mo Gilligan showing notable growth on visual platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Social media engagement is clearly a vital factor in a comedian's modern-day popularity and reach, allowing for direct interaction with fans and promotion of their work to a global audience.

Awarding the Funny: Researching Recent Comedy Award Recognition

Recognition within the comedy industry through prestigious awards can also be a significant indicator of a comedian's popularity and the quality of their work. The Chortle Awards in 2023 recognized a diverse range of talent, including Joe Lycett as Best TV Comedian, Dara O Briain for Best Tour, and Lorna Rose Treen as Best Newcomer. The Edinburgh Comedy Awards in 2023 saw Ahir Shah win Best Show and Urooj Ashfaq take home the award for Best Newcomer. The publicly voted National Comedy Awards in 2023 celebrated the success of Ricky Gervais as Best Comedy Actor and Joe Lycett for Best Stand-Up Show, among others.

Looking at 2024, the Chortle Awards again highlighted Joe Lycett, this time as Best TV Comic, while Sam Campbell won both Breakthrough Act and the coveted Comedians' Comedian award. The Edinburgh Comedy Awards named Amy Gledhill as the winner of Best Comedy Show and Joe Kent-Walters as Best Newcomer. These recent award wins and nominations suggest that Joe Lycett has experienced a significant rise in popularity and critical acclaim in recent years. Ricky Gervais' continued recognition at the National Comedy Awards also points to his enduring mainstream appeal. The Edinburgh Comedy Awards continue to spotlight emerging talent who may become more widely popular in the future.

Critical Consensus: Exploring Reviews and Media Coverage

The opinions of critics and the tone of media coverage can also influence a comedian's popularity and public perception. Reviews of Michael McIntyre's "Macnificent" tour in 2023 noted his relatability but also suggested some predictability. Peter Kay's comeback tour in 2023 received largely positive reviews, emphasizing his storytelling and connection with the audience. Ricky Gervais' "Armageddon" tour in 2023 drew more mixed reactions, with some critics finding it uninspired. Romesh Ranganathan's work in 2023 received varied reviews, with some praising his humour. Sarah Millican generally garnered positive reviews for her relatable comedy in 2023. Jack Whitehall's stand-up in 2023 received a mixed response. Looking at 2024, some viewers found Michael McIntyre's anniversary special average , while Peter Kay's shows elicited mixed reactions regarding new versus recycled material. Ricky Gervais' "Mortality" in 2024 continued to divide critics. Romesh Ranganathan's "Hustle" tour in 2024 earned positive reviews for his relatable humour. Sarah Millican's "Late Bloomer" tour in 2024 continued her exploration of relatable themes. Jack Whitehall's collaboration with his father in 2024 received mixed reviews. Notably, Mo Gilligan's "In The Moment" tour in 2024 received overwhelmingly positive reviews, with some hailing him as a rising comedy star. These reviews suggest that while many popular comedians receive positive coverage, critical opinions can vary, and emerging talents like Mo Gilligan are currently generating significant positive buzz.

The Current Comedy Climate: Understanding Factors Influencing Popularity

The UK comedy scene is a dynamic and evolving landscape, with several factors influencing a comedian's ability to achieve and maintain popularity. The emergence of new talent, as seen with names like Horatio Gould and Lorna Rose Treen in 2023 , keeps the scene fresh and introduces new styles. A significant trend in recent years, highlighted in a 2024 report , is the rise of female comedy headliners and a less top-heavy market, indicating a greater diversity of popular acts. Social media has become an undeniable force in driving popularity, with a majority of comedy attendees in 2024 reporting that they discovered comedians online. This is particularly true for younger audiences, with nearly a third of Gen-Z admitting they wouldn't pay to see a comedian live without first watching them on TikTok. Live comedy is also increasingly becoming a popular choice for a date night. The post-pandemic era has seen a resurgence in live comedy, with smaller, independent clubs and outdoor events gaining prominence. Podcasts continue to be a vital medium for comedians to build audiences, and streaming platforms offer new avenues for content distribution. There's also a growing trend towards "comedy with a conscience," with comedians addressing social and political issues, as well as themes related to mental health. Regional differences in humour preferences also play a role in who resonates with specific audiences. These factors collectively shape the current comedy climate and influence how comedians gain and maintain popularity in the UK.

Conclusion: Synthesizing the Evidence and Embracing Subjectivity

Determining the "most popular" UK comedian is a complex task, as popularity can be measured in various ways. Based on the evidence gathered, several contenders emerge depending on the criteria used. Peter Kay's phenomenal success in the live touring circuit, consistently breaking records and drawing massive audiences, positions him as a strong candidate when considering ticket sales and sheer audience numbers. His high television viewership figures also contribute to his widespread appeal. Michael McIntyre also demonstrates consistent popularity through his sold-out tours and successful television shows , coupled with a significant social media presence. Ricky Gervais commands a massive online following, particularly on Twitter and Instagram , and enjoys international touring success , although his critical reception can be more divided. Joe Lycett has experienced a notable rise in popularity, evidenced by significant award recognition in both 2023 and 2024 , a growing presence on television , and strong social media engagement. Mo Gilligan appears to be a rapidly rising star, achieving significant success in touring and television and garnering positive critical acclaim , along with a strong social media following.

Ultimately, the "most popular" UK comedian depends on individual preferences and how popularity is defined. Is it the comedian who sells the most tickets, reaches the largest television audience, has the biggest online following, receives the most critical praise, or resonates most strongly with a particular segment of the population? The UK comedy scene is currently vibrant and diverse, with a wealth of talent connecting with audiences in numerous ways. While no single comedian can definitively be crowned the "most popular," the analysis suggests that Peter Kay, Michael McIntyre, Ricky Gervais, Joe Lycett, and Mo Gilligan are all strong contenders who have achieved significant levels of success and recognition across various metrics of popularity in recent years.