Chortle's most-read news items of the last 12 months

The stats are in. Here are our most-visited news pages of the last 12 months...

10 Mike Yarwood dies at 82

The comedian and impersonator - one of the biggest names in entertainment in the 1960s and 1970s - passed away in September, having long stepped away from the spotlight. Full story

9. Queen Of Oz loses a third of its viewers

Catherine Tate’s new sitcom, in which she played an errant royal despatched to Australia, proved a turn-off in June. It was subsequently reported to be cancelled. Full story

8. Rose Matafeo and Mike Wozniak to front Junior Taskmaster

Exciting news about the spin-off from the Channel 4 hit broke in May, with two alumni of the show returning in new roles: Matafeo as Taskmaster and Wozniak in the sidekick position. Full story

7. ‘They’re like the Famous Five... they’re giddy to be in each other’s company’

Still with Taskmaster, Greg Davies and Alex Horne gave their verdict on the series 16 contestants: Julian Clary, Lucy Beaumont, Sam Campbell, Sue Perkins and Susan Wokoma. Full story

6. Russell Brand accused of rape and sexual assaults

In September, the Sunday Times and Despatches aired allegations made by four women - one who was aged 16 at the time - that Russell Brand had assaulted them at the peak of his fame. The comic got his rebuttals in first, vehemently denying any wrongdoing even before the story broke. He admitted he was promiscuous in the past but that every sexual encounter was consensual.. Full story

5. Ricky Gervais donates £1.9m to animal charities

Earlier this month, the comedian revealed what he was doing with the extra proceeds generated by charging extra for premium seats to his Armageddon tour, now on Netflix. Full story

4. 'Unimaginable opportunities will arise because you decided to create something'

John Robins’ presented the Edinburgh Comedy Awards at the end of the Fringe in August along with last year’s winner, Sam Campbell. This was the full speech of his self-deprecating and rousing words to the fellow comedians in the room. Full story

3. The moment I knew I could never work with Rik Mayall again

A rather sad story from September as Adrian Edmondson released his memoirs, detailing how his once-electric comic partnership fell apart. Full story

2. Stewart Lee and Bridget Christie have split

In a statement released exclusively to Chortle, Stewart Lee confirmed he had been living apart from Bridget Christie for  almost two years, having married in 2006. Full story

1. Paul Smith loses in his MMA debut

The Liverpudlian stand-up took part in a first professional MMA fight, losing to reality TV star Jake Quickenden at the AO Arena in Manchester. He also said it would be his last… Full story

Published: 29 Dec 2023