Mock The Week comics 'are given pre-written jokes' – claims former panellist Shappi Khorsandi

How much does Mock The Week showcase the gag-writing skills of the comedians taking part? Not much, alleges former panellist Shappi Khorsandi.

'Don't tell anyone I told you this' she told BBC Radio Scotland's Afternoon Show. 'But when you go on Mock The Week, everyone has the same stack of jokes that other people have written.

'And it's a bit of a bun fight to get to the pre-written jokes. I don't call it Mock The Week, I call it Hungry Hippos.'

However, Khorsandi, who made a single appearance on the show in 2007, suggested, 'it might have changed. They haven't booked me for 10 years. I'm sure it's different now.'

Is she being disingenuous? Host Dara O Briain has admitted that the show employs writers. But he said that their job 'is to supply the performers with fresh challenges each week like the headliner letters, say, or the "answer" in "If This Is The Answer..." and, most importantly, the scene ideas for the now legendary Scenes We'd Like to See.'

A spokesperson for Angst Productions, which makes the show, told Chortle that with filming on the latest series starting tonight, none of the production team were available for comment.

Published: 30 Oct 2019