In a noteworthy achievement for British comedy, Bob Mortimer emerged victorious in the inaugural UK season of Last One Laughing, which debuted on Amazon Prime Video on March 14, 2025. This innovative show brought together a diverse ensemble of ten prominent comedians tasked with a unique challenge: to induce laughter in their fellow contestants while maintaining a stoic expression themselves.
Climactic Finale: Mortimer vs. Ayoade
The finale was steeped in tension as Mortimer faced off against Richard Ayoade, ultimately securing victory with a single comedic punchline that sent Ayoade into fits of laughter. Reflecting on the loss, Ayoade noted in an interview with the Daily Mail on April 9,
“I had nothing and he was on a horse opposite me with a pocket full of material.”
The format of Last One Laughing, initially popularized in Japan, has been adapted in various countries, including Australia, Canada, Germany, and Ireland. The UK version featured an impressive lineup of comedians, including Rob Beckett, Sara Pascoe, Daisy May Cooper, Lou Sanders, Joe Lycett, Judi Love, Harriet Kemsley, and Joe Wilkinson, all expertly hosted by Jimmy Carr.
The Final Episode Experience
As the final episode premiered on March 27, 2025, viewers were left on the edge of their seats. The remaining contestants had been narrowed down to five: Lou Sanders, Rob Beckett, Harriet Kemsley, Richard Ayoade, and Bob Mortimer. The showdown came down to Mortimer and Ayoade, who took their positions on stationary hobby horses set against the backdrop of the show’s vibrant set.
In a battle of wits, Mortimer unleashed his carefully curated jokes while Ayoade fought to keep his composure. Ultimately, it was one particular joke that shattered Ayoade’s facade:
“I was in the cemetery and I saw a bloke get up from behind a gravestone. ‘Morning,’ I said. ‘No – just having a s**t.'”
With Ayoade laughing, Mortimer was declared the show’s champion. After the conclusion of the event, Ayoade humorously reflected on his experience, admitting,
“What I now realize I’d done was essentially sign up to be in goal and just have someone take penalty after penalty after penalty.”
Challenges and Competitions
Despite his ultimate success, Mortimer presented an interesting take on the situation. In a conversation with RadioTimes.com on March 27, 2025, he conveyed that he found the challenges tougher than he expected. Initially believing maintaining a straight face would be easy due to his daily behavior, he confessed to having difficulty in the high-stakes environment of the show, stating he “struggled in the beginning.”
The game’s premise hinged on self-control: laugh, and you’re eliminated. Mortimer not only managed to maintain his composure but ultimately executed the winning move, demonstrating both resilience and comedic prowess.
Jimmy Carr’s Insights
As the host, Jimmy Carr observed the unfolding drama from the control room. Discussing the competitive edge amongst comedians, he told RadioTimes.com on March 20, 2025,
“It reminds me a bit of when we did Roast Battle. Comedy isn’t particularly competitive, but this has got that thing where you go, ‘Comedians are kind of weirdly competitive’, so it’s quite a different feel.”
Carr elaborated on his decision to refrain from participating as a contestant, acknowledging his propensity to laugh easily, which would not align with the show’s requirements. He remarked,
“That thing about not laughing is so weird. Like to be in there and not laughing at your friends and being unsupportive, it’s so counterintuitive.”
Even from his vantage point, Carr found the experience fulfilling. He humorously mentioned, “I think I cried three times laughing,” highlighting how captivating the contestants’ performances were. He specifically praised Mortimer’s exceptional comedic delivery, asserting,
“There were a couple of occasions where Bob Mortimer did stuff and I went, ‘They should all be going home now, that should be the end of the show.'”
You can catch all the hilarity and high-pressure moments of Last One Laughing UK available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video.