Heroes and villains of the year

Here are the most-read news stories published on Chortle this year.

10. Revealed: The comedy clubs that book six times as many men as women

We crunched the numbers after Lucy Beaumont drew attention to the continuing gender imbalance on the circuit, and found London’s Comedy Carnival, Liverpool’s Hot Water and Sheffield’s Last Laugh to have the worst records, but Brighton Komedia had the best.

9. Tributes paid to comedian Darren Maskell

Although he had been inactive for several years, the death of this former stalwart of the alternative comedy scene at the age of 37 hit those who worked with him hard.

8. Taskmaster series 18 contestants announced

In May, it was revealed that Andy Zaltzman, Babatunde Aléshé, Emma Sidi, Jack Dee and Rosie Jones  would be trying to impress Greg Davies at challenges set by show creator Alex Horne. It’s the first of three Taskmaster stories on this list, showing just how popular it’s become in the comedy community.

7. Matt Forde reveals he can't walk after cancer treatment

In February, the political comic, pictured right, revealed that he had had the base of his spine removed after a tumour was discovered there, leaving him unable to walk. But he said he hoped  to be back on his feet soon – and indeed made a triumphant return to the Edinburgh Fringe in August,

6.  Taskmaster series 19 to premiere in New York

Earlier this month we reported how Greg Davies and Alex Horne will be hosting the world premiere of the next series at the Town Hall in New York on January 21 – before it’s seen in the UK.

5 Paul Currie may face legal action in antisemitism storm

Huge ructions in February when the comic is said to have either encouraged, or done nothing to shut down, chants of ‘get out’ and ‘free Palestine’ directed at an Israeli man during his show at London’s Soho Theatre. The punter had taken objection to Currie, pictured centre, flying the Palestinian flag on stage. A few months later, the comedian said he was suing the venue for their statement on the incident, which he said branded him antisemitic.

4. Robin Ince: Ricky Gervais was a bully

In July, the Infinite Monkey Cage host looked back on his time as Gervais’s tour support and concluded the headliner had effectively bullied him with his offstage pranks. He also he hadn’t spoken to Gervais since calling him out over his trans jokes.

3. Dane Baptiste issues a death threat to fellow comic

Chortle broke the news that Baptiste, pictured left, had issued a death threat to a Jewish female comedian online, chllinginly warning: ‘I want you to sit down with your husband and kids and imagine what their lives will be without you… I will be at your literal doorstep. Your agent won't keep you safe. And I'll sit in prison while your family sit at the cemetery.’ His own agent dropped him soon afterwards as gigs were cancelled left, right and centre… He subsequently apologised for his ‘error of judgement’, saying he was  reacting to a ‘perceived threat’, but too late to stop the career implosion.

2 Comedy club evacuated after punter crashes the stage

Footage of comic Mark Normand being joined on stage in New York by a random punter went in viral in January. Later it was revealed to be nothing but a publicity stunt.

1. Revealed: Who's in series 17 of Taskmaster

And of course Taskmaster tops the chart. In January it was announced that Joanne McNally, John Robins, Nick Mohammed, Sophie Willan and Steve Pemberton would be the first batch of contestants this year.

Published: 30 Dec 2024