Top 15 Most Hilarious British Comedians

Top 15 Most Hilarious British Comedians

The United Kingdom has produced some of the most popular and beloved comedians in the world. From classic comedy troupe Monty Python to panel show regulars, British comedians are known for their wit, sarcasm, and deadpan delivery.

We have looked at 15 of the funniest comedians from the UK who have kept audiences laughing with their stand-up routines, sketch shows, and appearances on TV and radio over the years. Some of the highlights include Ricky Gervais, Eddie Izzard, Rowan Atkinso, Sarah Millican, and many more hilarious Brits who have mastered the art of comedy.

1. Rowan Atkinson

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Rowan Atkinson is one of Britain’s most legendary comedic talents. He first found fame through madcap sketch shows in the 1980s like Not the Nine O’Clock News, showcasing his knack for physical comedy and funny faces. However, Atkinson truly became an icon in the early 1990s by creating the globally beloved hapless character Mr. Bean.

Playing the mumbling, bumbling, silly Bean with masterful body language and facial expressions, Atkinson conveyed hilarity through the simplest, often wordless situations. Audiences worldwide have laughed hysterically for decades at Atkinson’s creative, family-friendly chaos comedy. Even without speaking, Rowan Atkinson embodies the craft of hilarious visual comedy.

2. Ricky Gervais

Ricky Gervais shot to fame in the 2000s as the sharp-tongued creator and star of the cringe-inducing mockumentary sitcom The Office. His unlikeable office boss character David Brent showed Gervais’ talent for finding awkward humor in unrealistic optimism and petty self-delusion.

Known for his acerbic wit and controversial, globe-skewering stand-up, Gervais pushes the boundaries of sensitive topics with biting sarcasm. Though his humor can be quite biting, Ricky Gervais’ fearless, confrontational comedy style has made him one of Britain’s most renowned modern comedic voices.

3. Eddie Izzard

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Eddie Izzard is one of the funniest stand-up comedians in Britain. He tells very imaginative and crazy stories during his comedy shows. He makes people laugh hard with his silly way of talking and acting. Izzard is especially well-known for wearing women’s dresses and makeup on stage.

This goes along with his very silly humor. He acts like his bizarre stories make complete sense even though they are really very nonsense! People never know what this funny man will talk about next. His shows feel unplanned because he goes from one random funny idea to another. This surprise and creativity make Izzard a hilarious comedian unlike any other in Britain.

4. Mark Watson

Mark Watson is a popular young British comedian recognized for his high-energy storytelling shows. On stage, he bounces around, talking very rapidly and acting out funny voices and scenarios. He starts many stories but often goes on quick, random tangents about silly topics before returning back to the key story. His fast-paced, lively comedy sets feel almost improvised even though they flow logically in the end.

Watson keeps the mood lighthearted, joking about embarrassing situations we all face. While his bouncing enthusiasm looks almost chaotic, his clever writing connects it all together smoothly, leaving audiences smiling at his cheerful, relatable awkwardness.

5. Alice Levine

Alice Levine is a rising young British comedian and presenter winning over fans with her friendly, playful humor. She often pokes fun at herself, making jokes about silly things she has done in everyday situations that audiences find funny and relatable. Alice has a charming, upbeat way of pointing out the awkward moments of modern life. Her observations come across as lighthearted instead of mean because she says them with a sweet, humble smile. Audiences delight in her cheerful stories of laughing at her own expense.

6. Catherine Tate

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Catherine Tate creates very funny sketch comedy shows in Britain. She plays different weird characters who say and do silly things that make people laugh. Some of her popular characters are loud opinionated ladies who yell catchphrases like “Am I bovvered?”

Other characters are inconvenient people like lazy assistants. The way Catherine Tate completely transforms into a new strange personality with funny voices and costumes is excellent comedy. Viewers never know what kind of kooky character she will play next, which keeps her sketch shows exciting and hilarious.

7. Alan Carr

Alan Carr is a popular British comedian known for his fun, friendly style of comedy. He usually performs on comedy panel shows, chat shows, and award ceremonies. Alan pokes fun at himself and keeps the mood cheerful with his humor. He often jokes about his own life in a relaxed, amusing way that makes people laugh and feel comfortable.

With his bubbly personality and silly laugh, Alan Carr talks about everyday topics but finds clever ways to make ordinary things seem extraordinarily funny. His talent is turning common observations into smart jokes told in a warm manner that audiences find hilarious and inviting. Carr keeps viewers chuckling with his light comedy expertise.

8. Jimmy Carr

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Jimmy Carr is a popular British comedian with a clever, sarcastic style. He has a sharp wit and deadpan delivery, often making edgy one-liner jokes that surprise the audience. Many times, his jokes poke fun in an offensive yet funny way. Jimmy tells jokes in a smooth, emotionless way with excellent timing.

The audience laughs hard even while feeling shocked at some of his raw, rude humor. His act feels a bit dangerous because the viewers don’t know what inappropriate joke, he will make next. This unpredictable, cheeky humor defines Jimmy Carr’s bold comedy success.

9. Jack Whitehall

Jack Whitehall is a popular young British comedian known for bringing naughty, energetic humor to his comedy shows and roles. He often jokes around in a cheeky, mischievous way about topics like partying and dating in a manner audiences find fresh and funny. Even when acting rude on stage or TV shows, Jack keeps an undercurrent of silliness so his edgy jokes come off playful rather than mean.

He charms fans with messy pranks and stories told in an almost juvenile yet clever style. Jack Whitehall’s physical humor and talent for working naughty concepts into inventive laugh-out-loud moments define his rising success as a hilarious comedian.

10. Johnny Vegas

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Johnny Vegas is considered one of Britain’s funniest comedians, known for his loud, improvised style and surreal humor. He frequently plays dysfunctional characters like drunken fools or down-on-their-luck types. Vegas has starred in shows like Ideal about a small-time drug dealer and Benidorm about British tourists in Spain.

His comedy series 18 Stone of Idiot documented his attempts to change his unhealthy lifestyle. Vegas has also brought his over-the-top physical comedy to panel shows like Shooting Stars, Taskmaster, and QI. His stand-up shows DVDs, and live tours contain his signature rambling rants and outwardly daft skits that leave audiences laughing out loud with his witty observational comedy.

11. Simon Amstell

Simon Amstell is a wildly funny British comedian known for his witty, ironic, and self-deprecating humor. He first gained fame hosting the music quiz show Popworld in the 2000s with his cheeky presenting style. Later, he became popular for his comedy game show Never Mind the Buzzcocks where he amusingly mocked musicians and pop culture.

Amstell has toured internationally with stand-up shows like Numb and Do Nothing, hilariously sharing cringe-worthy personal stories and sharp social commentary. His mockumentary Grandma’s House further displayed his talents in playing a fictional version of himself. Amstell’s biting observations always leave audiences laughing hysterically.

12. Greg Davies

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Greg Davies is a very funny British comedian. He is extremely tall at 6 feet 8 inches! Greg first became well-known playing mean teacher Mr. Gilbert in the TV show “The Inbetweeners” from 2008-2010. His comedy often makes fun of awkward, eccentric people.

Greg went on to create and star in the sitcom “Man Down” about a childish adult teacher from 2013-2017. He has performed stand-up comedy for many years too, telling funny stories in his unique style. Greg makes people laugh very hard with his physical comedy and loud, expressive way of talking. He has brought his amusing talent for playing odd yet lovable characters to panel shows like “Would I Lie To You?” and “Taskmaster” also.

13. Kevin Bridges

Kevin Bridges is a popular Scottish comedian known for his hilarious observational comedy and witty storytelling. He often jokes about his family life growing up in Glasgow and issues facing British society. Bridges started stand-up young, first gaining notice in TV competitions before selling out huge venues like the SEC Armadillo with his funny yet insightful routines.

He’s starred in comedy shows like Kevin Bridges: What’s the Story? and The Kevin Bridges Show, making audiences laugh loudly with his amused outlook and sharp working-class humor delivered conversationally in a thick Scottish accent. His accessible comedy has earned him a big following.

14. Bill Bailey

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Bill Bailey is a very funny British comedian and musician. On stage, Bill usually looks messy with wild hair and baggy clothes. He often plays songs on the keyboard or guitar to add to his comedy routines. Bill has a witty, intellectual style while also being joyfully silly. He makes jokes about language, society, and politics in a clever, absurd way.

Bill has toured worldwide with hit stand-up shows blending music and observational humor. He appeared regularly on comedy panel shows, often saying bizarre one-liners. Bill can go off on funny improvised tangents at any moment. His shows are always lively, and unpredictable, and leave the audience laughing at his creative, musical brand of humor.

15. Sarah Millican

Sarah Millican is a very funny female comedian from the north of England. Her comedy style is observational, covering topics like relationships, weight loss, and everyday British life. Sarah has a warm, chatty way of delivering jokes that make audiences relate.

She often pokes fun at herself and her working-class background in a cheeky, hilarious way. Sarah became a top headliner on the UK comedy circuit before starring in her own shows like The Sarah Millican Television Programme and Sarah Millican: Outsider. Her amusing insights told with self-deprecating humor always leave crowds laughing merrily.