Comic leaves satirical show after four years and two broadcasters

Nish Kumar is standing down as host of Late Night Mash.

The current series of the topical show comes to an end on Dave with a compilation episode later tonight.

And while no second season has yet been announced, the broadcaster today posted a video announcement in which the comic broke the news.

In it, Kumar said: ‘I’ve loved being part of this show but I’ve made the difficult decision to step down and spend more time with my emotional problems.

Thank you to everyone at Dave, everyone who worked on the show and especially everyone who watched it.

‘It’s been the longest I’ve ever stayed at a job, mainly because the uniform is better than Croydon WH Smith’.

Morning all, some news https://t.co/Mf73kbPLgC

— Nish Kumar (@MrNishKumar) October 28, 2021

In a Twitter post he added: ‘It is true. I'm leaving Late Night Mash. After five years across the Beeb and Dave it felt like the time was right to move on.

‘I'm writing this on the back of my final script. It's covered in blood due to me slamming my hand into the staple by accident. It is a testament to how much of myself I put into the show, and also my ceaseless clumsiness.

‘I want to thank the BBC for commissioning the show and Dave for saving it. And thanks to everyone who worked on the show - it truly was a labour of love. For us all.

‘When we started in 2017 we were told a show like this wouldn't work on British TV. The fact that it has is the result of the talent and hard work of everyone involved in making the show. Most importantly, thanks for watching. Mash forever.’

The Dave channel tweeted: ‘We’ve loved working with Nish on #LateNightMash and the entire Dave team wish him all the best in the future. If you’ve missed any of this series of Late Night Mash the best bits are on tonight at 10pm.’

The show started life as The Mash Report  on BBC Two in 2017 and ran for four series before the BBC pulled the plug in March. It was claimed the decision was politically motivated after new director-general Tim Davie said he wanted to tackle a perceived bias in the Corporation’s output.

Four months later, Dave announced they were reviving the show with eight original episodes.

At the time channel director Cherie Cunningham, said: Dave viewers love nothing more than the quick wit of the best comedians in the country and I know the topical nature of this show will really resonate as we watch Nish and the team grapple with the latest sensations, headlines and online chatter.’

Kumar is touring next year with his new stand-up show, Control.

Published: 28 Oct 2021