'Mock the Week' axed by the BBC after 17 years

Mock the Week has been axed by the BBC after 17 years on the air.

The comedy panel show has been hosted by Dara O'Briain for the entirety of its 21 series run.

O'Briain said of the show ending: “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."

Read more: Dara Ó Briain condemns BBC for commissioning Scarlett Moffatt conspiracy theories podcast

A BBC spokesperson said in a statement: “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.”

Apart from O'Briain, the only other person to appear on every episode of Mock the Week is Hugh Dennis, also known for his role in Outnumbered.

Other notable comics to appear as regular panellists on the show include Frankie Boyle, Russell Howard, Chris Addison and Andy Parsons.

Angela Barnes, who appeared on the show many times, paid tribute to it on Twitter: “Mock The Week has been a massive part of my comedy life, thanks for having me along for the ride. I’ve made many memories and many friends, and will be so sad to wave it off.

"On the bright side, I had LITERALLY just run out of ideas for unlikely things to hear in an action film.”

Mock the Week creator Dan Patterson also said it was "disappointing" the show had been cut from the BBC's schedule: "It’s been announced that the next series of Mock the Week will be the last after 17 great years on the BBC.

"Desperately disappointing but hopefully we will resurface again soon. Huge thanks to Dara and Hugh and all the wonderful performers over the years. It’s been a privilege."

The final eight episodes of Mock the Week will air on BBC Two this autumn.

Watch: A clip from Mock the Week.