Top 10 Best British Comedians

British comedy has a long history of producing some of the funniest, most iconic performers. From stand-up legends to sitcom stars, these comedians bring a unique blend of sharp wit, clever wordplay, and sometimes just outright silliness that sets them apart.

This list is all about celebrating the best of the best. Some are masters of observational comedy, finding humor in everyday life. Others are experts at pushing boundaries or creating unforgettable characters that stand the test of time. The talent here spans generations, showcasing everything from classic slapstick to cutting-edge satire.

1. Jimmy Carr

   

   James Anthony Patrick "Jimmy" Carr (born 15 September 1972) is an English stand-up comedian, television host, writer and actor. He is known for his signature laugh, deadpan delivery, dark humour and economical, edgy one-liners. Carr has presented shows such as 8 Out of 10 Cats and The Big Fat Quiz of... read more

   Having a dark sense of humor is like a superpower. It comes with responsibility. The amazing ability that Jimmy has is, no matter how cruel or coarse the joke may be, he wants people to believe it's only a joke and that there's nothing they should be worried about. I like that. Beautifully emphasizing that he's there only to "release endorphins" and nothing else. Not only a master of the dark art but an advertiser of its innocence.

   This guy deserves to be in the top ten. He is hilarious. Every one of his shows is unbelievably funny.

   Also, he doesn't go on big rants on stage that only feature about 5 or 6 jokes. He just tells funny jokes. One of his live shows is called nothing too pretentious. It's just called 'Jimmy Carr Telling Jokes'. That's it.

2. Russell Howard

   

   Russell Joseph Howard is an English comedian, television and radio presenter, and actor. He is best known for hosting Russell Howard's Good News and frequently appearing on the panel show Mock the Week. Howard has also hosted The Russell Howard Hour on Sky One and later on Sky Max, where he discusses... read more

   I'm actually in love with him. He's perfect. He's absolutely hilarious. I could watch him all day. He genuinely makes me laugh out loud, and he's by far the best comedian ever.

   Russell Howard's Good News is so funny. Those little remarks he makes just crack me up. He's gorgeous as well, and so cute.

   So funny. Pure British humour. Most of the time, he talks about politics and crime, but it's so funny when he makes commercials and stupid cartoons. Then there's the Mystery Guest. But just remember, you still got to watch the show.

3. Frankie Boyle

   

   Francis Martin Patrick "Frankie" Boyle (born 16 August 1972) is a Scottish comedian and writer. He first gained prominence with his appearances on Mock the Week, where his pessimistic and frequently controversial humour became a hallmark of his style. Boyle has since released multiple stand-up specials... read more

   He is (or at least was) the funniest man in Britain, in my opinion. Probably best on Mock The Week, where his irreverence was a welcome contrast to some of the more diluted humour of Russell Howard, Andy Parsons, etc.

   One of the only comedians on MTW to make everybody on the panel laugh (albeit through gritted teeth).

   Very funny, fast, great on the spot. Very dark, controversial, easily Britain's greatest dark comedian, possibly the world's, and to me, a great comedian in terms of worldview.

   Yes, he's so good at what he does. And can I just point out that many of these comedians have been on Mock The Week?

4. Rowan Atkinson

   

   Rowan Sebastian Atkinson, is an English actor, comedian, and screenwriter best known for his work on the sitcoms Blackadder and Mr. Bean.

   How is he not number 1? He can do stand-up hilariously and has played some of the most iconic comedy characters in history, e.g., Blackadder, Johnny English, Inspector Fowler, and of course, Mr. Bean.

   How is a comedian like Russell Howard above hilarious people like Rowan Atkinson, Ricky Gervais, Lee Mack, and Lee Evans?

   He has this amazing magical superpower to make you chuckle just by entering the room or stage. When he changes his facial expression, it reduces most people to hysteria, and when he opens his mouth to say something, there is a risk that your head will explode. Oh, and "Pa Pa."

5. David Mitchell

   

   David James Stuart Mitchell is a British comedian, actor and writer. He is half of the comedy duo Mitchell and Webb alongside Robert Webb.

   Mitchell may not do stand-up comedy like most comedians, however, his sharp wit, intellect, slightly withdrawn personality, pessimism, and OCD tendencies more than qualify him for my personal number one comedian.

   Truly one of the quickest wits and sharpest minds working in comedy right now. I'm addicted to his style.

   Absolutely adore him. I would watch a two-hour bonanza on shipping timetables if he were presenting it.

6. Lee Mack

   

   Lee Gordon McKillop, known as Lee Mack, is an English stand-up comedian and actor best known for writing the sitcom Not Going Out and starring in it as the main character, also called Lee.

   I first saw him on Not Going Out and thought he was so funny, and I had a crush on him (still do). I also saw a DVD of him on tour, which was hilarious. I too think he is not appreciated enough.

   You can see how funny he is on Would I Lie to You. I only watch it because of him. One of the best, in my opinion.

   Lee is so funny, so smart, and so incredibly quick. He's also super sexy, making him the Number 1 British Comedian for me.

   Would I Lie to You is the best show on television. Lee's flirtatious and hilarious sparring with David Mitchell is a dream to watch. Love him!

7. Ricky Gervais

   

   Ricky Dene Gervais is an English comedian, actor, director, producer, writer, and former singer and music manager, born in 1961. He co-created and starred in the original UK series The Office before going on to create Extras and After Life. Gervais has hosted the Golden Globe Awards five times and is... read more

   A clever comedian who uses misdirection to take his audience on a journey, then dumps them at the wrong stop halfway through. He will always leave you crying with laughter and wanting to see him more and more. I recently saw him as alter ego David Brent live on stage as part of his Foregone Conclusion Band, and it was the best night of entertainment I have ever had.

   Ricky Gervais is number one and the funniest man alive without doubt. Forget the rest. If you are a true comedy fan, then you will agree that Ricky is the king.

   Should be number one in my eyes. A witty, fast, clever comedian from a working-class background, and conquered America, which not many other comedians can boast. Everything he does turns to gold, haha.

8. Michael McIntyre

   

   Michael Hazen James McIntyre is an English comedian, actor and presenter. In 2012, he was reported to be the highest-grossing comedian in the world.

   I love this man! He can relate to stuff we all see and do every day, making his stuff hilarious! In interviews and such, he is shown to be a generally nice and funny guy. He's not cocky despite his huge success but has the confidence to explore new material and be comfortable on stage. It's a shame he hasn't done much lately, and I hope this changes. I can't stop laughing when I listen to him!

   That man makes me smile whenever I see his face. No doubt about it. I love him, and he is so hilarious. He makes everyone laugh around him, and whenever I see him do comedy, he always makes me laugh to the extent that I can't breathe.

9. Billy Connolly

   

   William "Billy" Connolly is a Scottish comedian, musician, presenter, and actor. He gained widespread fame through his stand-up performances, marked by observational humor and storytelling. Connolly has also acted in numerous films and television programs and was knighted in 2017 for services to entertainment... read more

   Russell Howard number 1 and Billy Connolly being no. 5, are you taking the piss? The Big Yin is Britain's best comic, always has been. A true comic, always funny with his stories and jokes.

   Well, he could just open his mouth, and you will find yourself laughing uncontrollably. A true great.

   Very funny. Amazing life experiences, excellent storytelling. Deserves way more recognition. Has been doing comedy way longer than almost anyone and still going. Surely he has influenced more people than anyone on these lists.

   Billy has conquered so many countries around the world with his comedy where others have totally failed. I have watched Billy since I was about 9, and his comedy has always adapted to the times. A living legend.

10. John Cleese

    

    John Marwood Cleese is an English actor, voice actor, comedian, screenwriter, and producer. He achieved success at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and as a scriptwriter and performer on The Frost Report.

    It was through Monty Python, and specifically John Cleese, that I learned the English language and how to use it as a tool and weapon as appropriate. By the time I was 14, I could recite the entire Dead Parrot routine in proper English, despite a heavy Ukrainian accent. He and Python are comedy icons.

    For one of the Pythons and the co-writer of Fawlty Towers to be left out of the top 10 is truly scandalous. He is still, in his 70s, a comedic genius. I cannot pick my favorite moments of his, for it is all perfection. For Cleese to be at 21 is just unacceptable.

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Tom Rosenthal

    

    Friday Night Dinner was a great show, and so was his Edinburgh Fringe show.

12. ?

    Tracey Ullman

    
The Contenders

13. Sean Lock

    

    Sean Lock (22 April 1963 - 16 August 2021) was an English stand-up comedian, actor and television personality. He won the 2000 British Comedy Award for Best Live Comic and was nominated for the Perrier Comedy Award early in his career. From 2005 to 2015, he was best known as a team captain on the panel... read more

    Everything about Sean Lock is brilliant. He creates movies in our heads, paints them like pictures. By a mile, my favorite. He's a comedian. Jimmy Carr and Michael McIntyre are comics. There's a difference.

    Really, there should be two categories. Comics say funny things. Comedians say things funny. It's more spontaneous and more skilled. That's why Sean Lock is my number one.

    Love, love, love his humor. He is absolutely hilarious.

    Usually about everyday situations and interactions, his moth on a lightbulb and careful what you say you like near your birthday/Christmas are two of the funniest sketches I have seen, hands down.

14. Peter Kay

    

    Peter John Kay (born 2 July 1973) is an English stand-up comedian and actor. He created and starred in the BBC series Phoenix Nights and in Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere. His 2010-11 Tour That Doesn't Tour England Tour played to over 1.2 million people and earned the Guinness World Record for the most... read more

    I am visiting London from Australia, and my friend had taped a show of Peter Kay, which we watched one evening. I have never laughed so much in all my life, and I am 54, with a great sense of humour. Absolutely a wonderful evening.

    I have become his biggest fan. I'm telling everyone to check him out. Thanks, Peter, you make the world a better place.

    He is so clever. I mean, most things he says are what we do in life, and we don't realize why we do it. For example, why do they call it the big light? Laugh out loud.

    He starts off with simple jokes, and then he does his thing. He should be in the top ten list.

15. Jack Whitehall

    

    Jack Peter Benedict Whitehall is an English comedian, television presenter, actor and writer. He is best known for his stand up comedy, and for starring as JP in the TV series Fresh Meat.

    If you haven't heard him talk about his bathroom experience in a restaurant in a foreign country, then you must YouTube it. He tells it on the Graham Norton Show. I laughed until I had tears running down my face.

    But I also truly find everything he says funny. His stand-up, hilarious. But he's just one of those ACTUAL funny people. He can just pop stuff off in the moment. He truly has a gift.

    Jack is hilarious. Clever, innovative, and the only thing better than his never-ending humor is his great looks. He's gorgeous and adorable. He is so handsome that he should be on the cover of Gentleman's Quarterly.

    I wish he had a sitcom airing in the U.S. Or better yet, a movie.

16. Lee Evans

    

    Lee John Martin Evans (born 25 February 1964) is a retired English stand-up comedian, actor, musician and writer from Avonmouth, England. He announced his retirement from live performance following his Big This Is It tour in 2014, after becoming one of the UK's highest-earning comedians. Evans also co-directs... read more

    Number 12? That in itself is a joke! Lee should be riding high at the top of this list. He is the most brilliant comedian, and his sublime physicality makes me weep with laughter. Such a talented man, and he has heaps of charm to boot. Unlike many other comedians or stand-ups, he doesn't grate or irritate, or ever look smug and self-satisfied. He's just up there having fun and working incredibly hard to entertain the hordes who come along to see him. I'll never tire of watching him. Love ya, Lee! My number 1 for sure.

    Deserves the number one spot. He has always been a stand-up comedian and always will be, not a sellout like McIntyre or Peter Kay. This guy is the king of stand-up comedy. Just look at the arenas he has sold out.

    He is also a really nice guy, but most importantly, he makes me laugh and makes me laugh the hardest. The greatest stand-up of all time.

17. Stephen Fry

    

    Stephen John Fry (born 24 August 1957) is an English comedian, actor, writer, presenter and activist. After a troubled adolescence during which he was expelled from two schools and at age 18 was convicted of credit-card fraud, serving several weeks in prison, he secured a place at Queens' College, Cambridge... read more

    Far and away the most intelligent. Maybe people are still biased because of his sexual preferences, which is silly in these times.

    I love David Mitchell, Bill Bailey, Eddie Izzard, and Jimmy Carr, but there can only be one which I choose. It has to be Stephen.

    Stephen Fry is brilliant. I can't believe he is not in the top 10. Such a wise and funny man.

18. James Acaster

    

    He's going to take over the comedy scene, I tell you now. If I told you this at any other time, I'd be either stating the obvious or claiming to be psychic.

    I just watched some comedy and thought I'd try my hand at it. Not too happy with the outcome, but this is anonymous, and I'm no stranger to living with personal shame.

    He's the best of the "new age" British comedians around at the moment. His Netflix series is pure genius.

    He deserves all the airtime he's currently getting, and I can't wait to see him live in a couple of months. It won't be long before he's in the Top 10.

19. Peter Sellers

    

    Sellers was really funny in both Last of the Summer Wine and in the original Pink Panther, with none of the Steve Martin nonsense.

    My favorite of his moments was in The Pink Panther. Clouseau sees a man near a dog in the street and goes to talk with him:

    Clouseau: Does your dog bite?

    Man: No.

    Clouseau goes to pet the dog, but it bites him.

    Clouseau: I thought you said he did not bite!

    Man: That's not my dog.

    He was just a wonderful actor too. I can watch his films again and again and still laugh at them, such a great entertainer.

20. Miranda Hart

    

    Miranda Katherine Hart Dyke, known professionally as Miranda Hart or simply Miranda, is an English actress and comedian. She is best known for her semi-autobiographical sitcom Miranda, which aired on the BBC from 2009 to 2015. Hart has also appeared in other television series such as Call the Midwife... read more

    I just recently discovered Miranda Hart on PBS. I love her show. She is adorable! She is awkward, very tall, and decidedly clumsy, but you can't help but rally for her! I want her as number one. I have also seen the actual Miranda in interviews, and she comes across as a nice person. I like that about her. Some comedians are very manic! She is elegant!

    Funniest woman here. This is proved by how she is the only female in the top ten, and she always makes one laugh. Love.

    Miranda is the best. Lovable, funny, and if you had a drink with her, there would not be a dull moment.

21. Milton Jones

    

    Milton Hywel Jones is a Welsh comedian known for his quick wit and distinctive delivery. His style of humor relies heavily on surreal one-liners and clever puns, delivered in a deadpan and slightly neurotic manner. Jones has appeared on numerous radio and television programs, including Mock the Week... read more

    There's something about Milton Jones, something I can't quite put my finger on, that always makes my head explode with laughter. Just listen to him for two minutes, and you'll never forget any of it.

    He's mad and funny. On Mock the Week, it is funny that some of the other comedians here don't always appear to find him funny, but the audience tells the true story. He also needs to open a shirt shop.

    Fluffyollie

    Best at one-liners there has ever been.

22. Eddie Izzard

    

    Suzy Eddie Izzard (born Edward John Izzard, February 7, 1962, often known professionally as Eddie Izzard) is a British stand-up comedian, actor, and activist. Her comedic style takes the form of what appears to the audience as rambling, whimsical monologues and self-referential pantomime. She completed... read more

    His comedy is so funny and yet sophisticated. Which is probably why not as many people know about him, because you actually need a well-rounded education to understand him. However, it makes his act even better and funnier if you get the smaller jokes. His observational comedy is brilliant. You can't stop laughing once he starts.

    There's no single object or subject in the world that Eddie couldn't make funny for all of us. His insight into everything and his curiosity are the most incredible parts of his deep and thoughtful jokes. Even for me, a guy from Russia.

23. Jon Richardson

    

    Jon Joel Richardson is an English comedian, born in 1982. He is best known for his appearances on 8 Out of 10 Cats and 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown. Richardson also co-hosts the podcast Off Menu with Frederic Saunders and has toured multiple stand-up shows in the UK and Australia.

    This guy should be in the top 10! He's so funny and relatable! Not to mention absolutely gorgeous and adorable! Amazing writer as well. I recommend his book.

    His viewpoint on life is extremely interesting to the average person. Definitely watch him at the Hammersmith Apollo on YouTube.

    One of the best comedians around. So funny! His book is amazing, and his gigs are hilarious. He should definitely be in the top 10 at least.

24. Simon Pegg

    

    Simon John Pegg is an English actor, comedian, screenwriter, and producer, born in 1970. He first came to public prominence as co-creator and star of the Channel 4 sitcom Spaced, directed by Edgar Wright. Pegg went on to co-write and star in hit films such as Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and the Star... read more

    Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead, Paul, Spaced, Big Train, etc. Simon Pegg is one of my favorite comedians ever. He and Nick Frost are the dynamic duo.

    Best comedian alive. Funny bloke, great accent, and so 'nerdy! Love all his stuff.

    Spaced is one of the funniest and most original comedy shows ever made. And Nick Frost is an excellent co-pilot, laugh out loud.

25. Joe Lycett

26. Rhod Gilbert

    

    Rhodri "Rhod" Paul Gilbert is a Welsh comedian born in 1968. He was nominated in 2005 for the Perrier Best Newcomer Award at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe after beginning his stand-up career in 2003. Gilbert has since toured internationally and created his own television series, Rhod Gilbert's Work Experience... read more

    Easily my number 1 British comedian. I saw him live a couple of years ago when he came to the Princess Theatre (Torquay) with his "The Man with the Flaming Battenburg Tattoo" show, and it was easily the best comedy show I have ever seen. Hilariously funny, well-written material, brilliant storytelling, and I loved the story of the show from the beginning when he started 'Anger Management Classes', right through to the New York holiday photos at the end. Great stuff!

    Rhod Gilbert is fantastic. I went to see him on tour, and I laughed continuously, helplessly, and joyously from beginning to end. It was a fantastic night.

    He is the best, his stuff on YouTube is hilarious too. He doesn't rely on swearing like some to get a laugh. He is just great. Britain's best comedian, definitely.

27. Nick Frost

    

    Nicholas John "Nick" Frost is an English actor, comedian, screenwriter, producer, and author, born in 1972. He is best known for his on-screen partnership with Simon Pegg in Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and The World's End. Frost has also starred in the television series The IT Crowd and leads the ensemble... read more