Laurence Rickard is an English actor, writer, and comedian best known as a member of the Them There collective, with whom he both wrote and starred in productions including Horrible Histories, Yonderland, and Ghosts. In 2022, along with fellow Them There member Ben Willbond, he co-wrote the feature length television comedy We Are Not Alone.
He is also one half of the comedy writing/performance duo "Larry and George" with George Sawyer.
Career Rickard has written for UK comedy shows including The Armstrong and Miller Show, The Charlotte Church Show and The Impressions Show with Culshaw and Stephenson, as well as children's programme Me and My Monsters.
He is a principal cast member, lyricist and writer for the award-winning CBBC programme Horrible Histories, in particular creating and performing the character of 'Special Correspondent' Bob Hale (a parody of presenter Peter Snow). He has also appeared regularly on the spin-off game show Horrible Histories: Gory Games and in the Horrible Histories BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall.
Along with the five other members of the Horrible Histories starring cast, Rickard is also the co-creator, writer, and star of Yonderland, a family/fantasy/comedy series that premiered on Sky One on 10 November 2013. Two further series were produced.
In addition he is the co-writer of Bill, a BBC-produced comedy film which is based loosely around the early life of William Shakespeare and involves the same starring troupe. Filming took place in 2014, and the film had a nationwide UK release in September 2015.
As a performer, Rickard has also appeared in the Channel Four Comedy Lab Private Lives as well as the TV series Balls of Steel. He is also a writer and performer on Tracey Ullman's Show and Tracey Breaks the News. Rickard co-created, wrote, and starred in the BBC sitcom Ghosts (2019-2023) and is co-writer of the BBC sitcom Amandaland (2025-2026).
In 2024, Rickard was awarded an honorary doctorate in humanities from Brunel University London for his services to television and education.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes2015 Bill Sir Francis Walsingham Lope Lopez 2022 We Are Not Alone Cirsh2025Chicken TownGreebo Mechanic
Television Year Title Role Notes2009–2013Horrible Histories Bob Hale Various2011 Dick and Dom's Funny Business The Estate Agent Episode: "The Estate Agent" Horrible Histories with Stephen Fry Various 2013 Anna & Katy Various 2 episodes2013–2016Yonderland Ho-Tan 24 episodes Jeff 24 episodes Wizard Bradley 4 episodes Various 2016–2018 Tracey Ullman's Show Various 14 episodes 2017–2018 Tracey Breaks the News Various 7 episodes2019–2023Ghosts Robin 35 episodes Sir Humphrey Bone 35 episodes 2026 Amandaland Mr Hastings Series 2
Awards
Year Project Award Event Notes 2010 Horrible Histories Best TV Sketch Show British Comedy Awards Best Writing BAFTA (Children's) Best Comedy Best Children's Show (non-fiction) Prix Jeunesse 2011 Best Acting Kidscreen Awards Entire cast Best British Comedy British Comedy Guide Awards Best TV Sketch Show Best TV Sketch Show British Comedy Awards Best Children's Programme Broadcast Awards Best Comedy BAFTA (Children's) Best Children's Programme RTS Awards 2012 Best Comedy BAFTA (Children's) Best TV Sketch Show British Comedy Guide Awards Best Children's Programme Rose d'Or Best Acting Kidscreen Awards Entire cast 2013 Best Comedy BAFTA (Children's) Best TV Sketch Show British Comedy Guide Awards 2014 Special Prize: Best Children's TV of the last 50 Years (Non-Fiction) 2026 Amandaland Best Scripted Comedy BAFTA
References
External links