You're having a laugh! But not very often

9 in 10 Brits wished they laughed more

comedy Almost half of British people admitted that they cannot remember the last time they laughed out loud, according to a new survey.

The research also found the average Brit laughs just three times a week; that one in six think it’s been at least a couple of months since they last a chuckle and 89 per cent wished they laughed more often.

As well as the 42 per cent of people who cannot remember the last time they audibly laughed aloud, 5 per cent can’t remember doing so in the past 12 months.

That’s despite 95 percent of Brits believe that a good belly laugh is great for your mental health.

The research was commissioned by broadcaster Sky to plug its comedy programming.

Zai Bennett, managing director of content, said: ‘Considering the ups and downs of the last few years it’s no wonder the nation is in need of more than a little bit of light relief.The research shows we’re all craving more laughter’.

The research also found that laughter is contagious too, with 80 per cent admitting to laughing if everyone else is, even if they have no idea what they are laughing about. Over half (55 per cent) of Brits also admit to laughing at a joke, even if they don’t understand the punchline.

And when it comes to what we use to make other people laugh, sarcasm may be the lowest form of wit but it’s also the most common with 58 percent of Brits saying they wield it as a joke. Banter was second with 46 per cent and dark humour third at 36 per cent.

The top ten things that make us laugh are