Bob Mortimer has been labelled a “national treasure” by fans after a clip from his latest show, Last One Laughing UK, went viral. Mortimer, 65, is one of many comedians taking part in the show, in which contestants have to spend six hours with each other without laughing or face elimination. The other comedians involved are Daisy May Cooper, Joe Lycett, Judi Love, Rob Beckett, Sara Pascoe, Lou Sanders, Joe Wilkinson, Harriet Kemsley, and Richard Ayoade. The Prime Video show is hosted by Jimmy Carr and Roisin Conaty.
Mortimer, whose other credits include the game show Shooting Stars and Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing, has quickly become one of the breakout stars of the series after the first four episodes were released on March 20, 2025. One of his performances in particular has gone viral, amassing more than 2 million views on Instagram alone. In the clip, Mortimer performs a very low-budget magic show soundtracked by the Queen song “A Kinda Magic.” He begins by appearing to make a tea towel levitate by using a concealed shoe and coat hanger before cracking an egg into a handbag. Seconds later, a toy chick emerges from the handbag, which sends Carr and Conaty, who are watching in another room, into hysterics.
Throughout the performance, Mortimer whispers: “It’s magic.” The likes of Cooper, Ayoade, and Wilkinson struggle to contain their composure during Mortimer’s show, doing everything they can to stop themselves from laughing. The clip has now been shared across social media with many people praising Mortimer’s very silly and very funny brand of comedy. “This man is a national treasure,” said one fan after sharing the clip. Another person, perhaps sympathizing with the other comedians, wrote: “I lasted about 4 seconds before I started laughing.” A third wrote: “It's only a matter of time before we call you Sir Robert Mortimer. I've watched this magic class masterclass a dozen times. Epic stuff!!”
The show, which first began in Japan in 2016 under the title Documental, has since been adapted by numerous countries including Ireland, France, Germany, Canada, South Africa, and Brazil. Mortimer has faced health issues in recent years, having undergone heart surgery in 2015. He required the use of a wheelchair while shooting the seventh season of Gone Fishing amid a health crisis that left him unable to walk. Mortimer first opened up about his ongoing medical issues in September 2022, revealing that he had shingles, a skin infection that causes a painful rash and is caused by the varicella-zoster virus—the same virus that causes chickenpox.
Could you do with a laugh right now? The brand new comedy TV show Last One Laughing is one to add to your watchlists. Presented by Jimmy Carr, along with special guest Roisin Conaty, Last One Laughing serves up an amazing lineup, consisting of the very best from the comedy world, including Daisy May Cooper, Sara Pascoe, and Joe Lycett. The premise in a nutshell? A group of comedians must try to make their fellow contestants laugh, without cracking up themselves.
“I’m thrilled to be making Last One Laughing UK with Prime Video. It’s sure to deliver, and if it doesn’t, it will leave the fun with your neighbours,” presenter Jimmy Carr has said about the show. “Usually when I make a TV show with 10 brilliant comics, I’m expecting everyone to have a bloody good laugh—but not in this series. The last one laughing wins. It’s a great format and it’s been a huge hit around the world. I can’t wait to see who cracks up first.”
So, what is Last One Laughing all about? According to IMDB, we see “Ten top UK comedians face off in Jimmy Carr's challenge: make others laugh while keeping a straight face. They'll try everything to crack their opponents, but must never break themselves.” The first four episodes dropped on March 20, with the final two episodes launching on March 27, 2025.
The comedians involved in Last One Laughing UK include Bob Mortimer, Daisy May Cooper, Joe Lycett, Judi Love, Rob Beckett, Sara Pascoe, Lou Sanders, Joe Wilkinson, Harriet Kemsley, and Richard Ayoade. Each of these comedians brings their unique style and humor to the show, creating a competitive yet hilarious atmosphere.
As the show progresses, the dynamics among the contestants become increasingly entertaining. Bob Mortimer, known for his comedic partnership with Vic Reeves, is no stranger to the game show format. He expressed his surprise at how challenging it was to maintain a straight face. "I thought it would be easy not to laugh," Mortimer told RadioTimes.com. "[I] spend most of my days not laughing so I thought it would be easy, but it's so difficult! [It's] just a strange atmosphere, I was really struggling in the beginning."
Daisy May Cooper, who gained fame from her BBC Three series This Country, also shared her experiences. “I was really solid, but then I started getting picked on by you two [Richard Ayoade and Bob Mortimer], and then there was a little crack in that armor and I was gone.” Meanwhile, Joe Lycett, a rising star in the stand-up scene, has been making waves with his unique comedic style.
Judi Love, a regular panellist on Loose Women, described the experience as “absolutely out of this world,” while Rob Beckett noted the overwhelming nature of trying not to laugh, especially with so many funny personalities in one room. “Because of the way my face is, I had to clench my jaw for six hours,” Beckett explained. “That was the only way for me to not get [a] yellow card, was to [have a] clenched jaw.”
As the show nears its conclusion, the anticipation builds among viewers. The final two episodes are set to land on Prime Video on Thursday, March 27, 2025, and fans are eager to see who will emerge victorious in this hilarious battle of wits and humor.
In conclusion, Last One Laughing UK has captured the attention of audiences with its unique premise and talented cast. With its blend of laughter and competition, it promises to be a memorable addition to the world of comedy television.
