Regular slot for 'anti-woke' comedian

Anti-‘woke’ comedian Andrew Doyle is to join new TV channel GB News.

The stand-up, whose book Free Speech And Why It Matters was published last month, will host a weekly show called Free Speech Nation.

The programme promises ‘a variety of guests and a lively, light-hearted look at current affairs’.

Spearheaded by Andrew Neil, GB News, the biggest news TV channel to launch in the UK since Sky News 30 years ago.

It has positioned itself as an alternative the liberal mainstream media – with Neil hosting a regular ‘Wokewatch’ section, for example. Critics have dubbed it a British version of America’s right-wing Fox News, but the broadcast will have to comply with Ofcom impartiality rules.

Doyle, who also created the spoof social justice warrior Titania McGrath for Twitter, has been an outspoken critic of what he sees a liberal censoriousness, and has written articles on the subject for Spiked, The Spectator, The Mail and The Sun.

He also co-wrote scripts for spoof news reporter Jonathan Pie and has had seven solo stand-up shows at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Fellow comic Lee Hurst was one of the first to congratulate him, saying: ‘Congratulations Andrew. Have a good one.’

And stand-up Nick Dixon joked: ‘This is amazing news. Andrew is a great guy with the intelligence and taste to potentially book me on his show.’

The launch date for GB News has not yet been confirmed, but it is expected later this year.

Other signings include Sky News journalist Colin Brazier, former Apprentice winner and Brexit Party candidate Michelle Dewberry, former Brexit Party MEP Alex Phillips, and The Sun’s Dan Wootton.

Published: 19 Mar 2021