Comics who became household names after appearing on Mock the Week have thanked the show for helping to launch their careers after it was axed by bosses. 
The BBC Two panel show, which has been on air for the last 17 years, is being cancelled with its 21st and final series being shown this autumn.
Hosted by Dara O'Briain for the entirety of its run, the programme has shone a spotlight on up-and-coming comedic talent from the UK comedy circuit.
Breakout stars from the series include the likes Frankie Boyle and Russell Howard, while in recent years a new generation of comedians have been brought into the public eye. 
Among those who have helped build their careers in the UK are Adam Hills and Angela Barnes, who have both thanked the show for the impact it has had on them. 
On Twitter Australian comic Hills, who now presents Channel 4's The Last Leg, wrote: 'For many years in the UK, I was only known for being on Mock The Week. It gave me a profile on British TV and brought people to my live shows. 




'It's a constant state of vigilance': Katherine Ryan says...
Axe: Mock The Week has been cancelled after 17 years on air to 'create room for new shows' on Tuesday - with the final episodes set to air this autumn

'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's final episodes will air on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer this autumn, with the BBC saying it wants to make room in its schedule for new programming.
Launching on BBC Two in 2005, Irish comedian Dara O'Briain was chosen to host, with regular panelists Hugh Dennis, Rory Bremner and Frankie Boyle providing a steady supply of jokes.
Since then it has it has seen a variety of comedians make the audience laugh with jokes about the news stories of the week, including imports from the likes of Australia, Canada and the United States.
Who got their breaks on Mock the Week?
Adam Hills









Adam Hills first came to the British public's attention on Mock the Week and since then has appeared on multiple TV shows including Channel 4's The Last Leg

A household name in the UK at the moment, Australian comedian Adam Hills was virtually unknown when he first appeared on Mock the Week in 2006.
His performances on the show over the next few series, combined with his appearances on other panel shows such as Never Mind the Buzzcocks and QI brought him to a wider audience in this country. 
Hills was born without a right foot and wears a prosthesis, which he regularly takes off as part of his act. 
In 2012 he was part of Channel 4's coverage of the Paralympic Games, and since then has hosted The Last Leg, a late night comedy show on the same channel.
After it was revealed Mock the Week is being cancelled by the BBC, he said he would be 'forever grateful' for going on the show. 
On Twitter he wrote: 'For many years in the UK, I was only known for being on Mock The Week. It gave me a profile on British TV and brought people to my live shows. 
'I'll forever be grateful for the opportunities the show (and cast and crew) gave me.'
Angela Barnes









Comedian Angela Barnes has made 26 appearances on Mock the Week since making her debut in 2014

Having made her first appearance on the show in 2014, Angela Barnes has since become a regular guest on the programme. 
A regular on the comedy circuit beforehand, it nevertheless brought her brand of observational comedy to a wider audience.
The London-born comic, who wears hearing aids after suffering from hearing loss as a child, is a regular on radio shows such as The News Quiz on BBC Radio 4 and the We Are History podcast.
After finding out the show was being cancelled, she wrote 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.'
Dara O'Briain









Irish comedian Dara O'Briain has hosted more than 220 episodes of Mock the Week since it started

Already a reasonably well-known comedian when chosen to present the show, Dara O'Briain has since become synonymous with Mock the Week.
Officially tasked with keeping the show on track, he has had to take more than his fair share of jokes directed at him by the panelists.
Speaking on Newsnight after the decision made to axe the show, he said: 'These things have an era.
'It would have been nice to have carried on, but in many ways when the announcement came, when I found about it, it kind of got engulfed by theatres reopening after the pandemic which in many ways is more important to our working lives.
'But you can have a moment of reflection and say "we had 17 years of it" - so not a bad innings.'
Frankie Boyle 









Frankie Boyle became well-known for his dark humour when appearing as a panelist on the show

Boyle's sardonic and dark humour was put on display to the wider public for the first time on Mock the Week, making him a household name. 
During his time on the show he courted controversy for his jokes - in 2008 he was accused of bullying Olympic gold medallist Rebecca Adlington when he said she 'looks like someone who's looking at themselves in the back of a spoon'.
Other jokes about the Queen being so old her 'p***y is haunted' and barbed jokes aimed at Katie Price and her disabled son Harvey also prompted com[/img]















































[img][/img]



Josh Beckett has appeared on Mock the Week 20 times and has since got gigs on other shows such as 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown

Making 20 appearances on the programme, Rob Beckett saw his star rise throughout his time on the show. 
While appearing on the show he also got gigs as a panelist on 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, and co-presented I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! NOW! for three series.
He has since gone on to form a TV partnership with fellow comedian Romesh Ranganathan, appearing in  Rob & Romesh vs..., a show where the pair travel the world and take on challenges.






Read more:



[url=]Frankie Boyle reveals why he quit Mock The Week and spills beans on new Channel 4 show - Mirror Online





[url=]Mock the Week star Ed Gamble on why the show has lasted