Mock the Week to end after 17 years

'Mock The Week' is to end after more than 17 years.

The BBC Two comedy panel show will come to a conclusion after the forthcoming 21st series, which will air this autumn, and host Dara O'Briain joked the panellists - who have included the likes of Hugh Dennis, Frankie Boyle, Chris Addison, Russell Howard, and Ed Byrne over the years - couldn't be "more silly than the news" is already.

He said in a statement: "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.

"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!"

'Mock the Week' co-creator Dan Patterson admitted it was "desperately disappointing" that the show is coming to an end.

He tweeted: "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 BBC said in a statement: "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."

Angst Productions, the organisation behind the programme, added: "We're naturally hugely disappointed that 'Mock The Week' is coming to an end and hope that we will be able to resurface somewhere some day in the future."

The show - which has also featured Andy Parsons and Rory Bremner - began in June 2005.