Live at the Apollo (formerly titled Jack Dee Live at the Apollo) is a British stand-up comedy programme performed from the Hammersmith Apollo. The programmes are recorded, not broadcast live, but the acts perform in front of a live audience.
Jack Dee hosted the first two series and the opening show of the third series, performing a short segment before introducing a guest comedian. Until 2015, all episodes were broadcast on BBC One. The show moved to BBC Two in November 2015. The programme was renamed for its third series which was filmed over three evenings in October 2007. The format was changed to have one of the night's performers assuming hosting duties.
A fourth series began transmission on 28 November 2008. It showcased a variety of the newer stand-up comedians and was rescheduled from Monday nights to Friday nights to replace Friday Night with Jonathan Ross following Ross's suspension in the wake of the Sachsgate row. After hosting the first episode, Michael McIntyre was given his own show with a similar format: Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow which was broadcast from 2009 until 2011.
On 29 July 2026, the BBC announced that Live at the Apollo will end after series 21, which will be filmed in the autumn, due to cuts at the broadcaster.
Episode list Viewing figures from BARB and British Comedy Guide. Series Episodes Originally aired Series premiere Series finale162636465666788696106117127137147157167177187197207Specials4
Series 1 (2004) No.HostComedianFirst broadcastViewers (millions)1x01 Jack DeeJoan Rivers6 September 20041x02Ardal O'Hanlon13 September 20041x03Jo Brand20 September 20041x04Ross Noble27 September 20041x05Omid Djalili4 October 20041x06No guest11 October 2004
Series 2 (2005) No.HostComedian(s)First broadcastViewers (millions)2x01 Jack DeeLee Mack12 September 20052x02Dara Ó Briain19 September 20052x03No guest26 September 20052x04Rob Brydon (in character as Keith Barret)3 October 20052x05Marcus Brigstocke and Rich Hall10 October 20052x06Julian Clary17 October 2005
Series 3 (2007) No.HostComedian(s)First broadcastViewers (millions)3x01Jack DeeJason Manford and Russell Howard 12 November 20073x02Jimmy CarrAlan Carr19 November 20073x03Jo BrandMichael McIntyre26 November 20073x04Lee MackSean Lock3 December 20073x05Joan RiversPatrick Kielty10 December 20073x06Dara Ó BriainStephen K. Amos and Frankie Boyle17 December 2007
Series 4 (2008–2009) No.HostComedian(s)First broadcastViewers (millions)4x01Michael McIntyreRich Hall and Rhod Gilbert28 November 20084x02Al Murray (in character as The Pub Landlord)Shappi Khorsandi and Russell Kane5 December 20084x03Sean LockJason Manford12 December 20084x04Dara Ó BriainFrankie Boyle19 December 20084x05Lenny HenryAndy Parsons and Ed Byrne9 January 20094x06Russell HowardJo Brand17 January 2009
Series 5 (2009–2010) No.HostComedian(s)First broadcastViewers (millions)5x01Jason ManfordMichael McIntyre4.205x02Rob BrydonSarah Millican and Jason Byrne 4.825x03Al Murray (in character as The Pub Landlord)Chris Addison and Tim Vine4.665x04Rhod GilbertJohn Bishop6.295x05Ed ByrneAdam Hills and Gina Yashere4.075x06Alistair McGowanKevin Bridges and Reginald D. Hunter3.77
Series 6 (2010–2011) No.HostComedian(s)First broadcastViewers (millions)6x01Sean LockJohn Bishop 25 November 20103.816x02Lee MackRich Hall and Danny Bhoy2 December 20103.866x03Dara Ó BriainGreg Davies and Stewart Francis9 December 20104.676x04Kevin BridgesShappi Khorsandi and Jack Whitehall17 December 20104.896x05Stephen K. AmosJon Richardson and Micky Flanagan28 December 20106x06Lenny HenryMike Wilmot and Tommy Tiernan1 January 20114.26
Series 7 (2011–2012)
No.HostComedian(s)First broadcastViewers (millions)7x01Micky FlanaganSeann Walsh and Jason Byrne4 November 20113.027x02Sean LockEd Byrne and Lee Nelson11 November 20113.217x03Alan CarrAndi Osho and Patrick Kielty25 November 20112.687x04Andy ParsonsAndrew Lawrence and Milton Jones2 December 20113.227x05Rich HallMark Watson and Andrew Maxwell9 December 20113.387x06Sarah MillicanSteve Hughes and Russell Kane16 December 20113.637x07Jason ManfordJimeoin and Tom Stade14 January 20123.647x08Jack WhitehallJosh Widdicombe and Shappi Khorsandi21 January 20123.02
Series 8 (2012–2013) No.HostComedian(s)First broadcastViewers (millions)8x01Dara Ó BriainNina Conti and Danny Bhoy 17 November 20122.428x02Rhod GilbertKerry Godliman and Jon Richardson 24 November 20122.608x03Kevin BridgesPhill Jupitus and Sara Pascoe1 December 20122.438x04Lee NelsonStewart Francis and Paul Chowdhry14 December 20122.568x05Omid DjaliliJulian Clary and Reginald D. Hunter21 December 20123.618x06Greg DaviesHal Cruttenden and Simon Evans4 January 20132.76
Series 9 (2013–2014) No.HostComedian(s)First broadcastViewers (millions)9x01Eddie IzzardJosh Widdicombe and Trevor Noah22 November 20132.749x02Jack DeeSeann Walsh and Milton Jones29 November 20132.589x03Sean LockRomesh Ranganathan and Marcus Brigstocke13 December 20133.169x04Adam HillsAndi Osho and Terry Alderton20 December 20132.459x05Jack WhitehallKatherine Ryan and Rich Hall8 January 20142.239x06Nina ContiJimeoin and Rob Beckett15 January 20142.15
Series 10 (2014–2015) No.HostComedian(s)First broadcastViewers (millions)10x01Sarah MillicanJoe Lycett and Russell Kane19 November 201410x02Jason ManfordChris Ramsey and Doc Brown26 November 201410x03Frankie BoyleSimon Evans and Aisling Bea10 December 201410x04Jon RichardsonSara Pascoe and Nathan Caton17 December 201410x05Hal CruttendenJustin Moorhouse and Tom Stade27 December 20142.4810x06Danny BhoyMiles Jupp and Lee Nelson2 January 20151.71
Series 11 (2015) The eleventh series of Live at the Apollo was broadcast on BBC Two for the first time, beginning on 9 November 2015.
No.HostComedian(s)First broadcastViewers (millions)11x01Alan CarrFrancesca Martinez and Nish Kumar1.0711x02Dara Ó BriainZoe Lyons and Paul Chowdhry11x03Noel FieldingDane Baptiste and Al Porter11x04Romesh RanganathanJason Byrne and Stewart Francis1.0811x05Katherine RyanHenning Wehn and James Acaster11x06Russell KaneRoisin Conaty and Nick Helm1.1711x07Nina ContiTanyalee Davis, Hal Cruttenden and Josh Widdicombe0.99
Series 12 (2016) The twelfth series of Live at the Apollo was broadcast on BBC Two from 8 November 2016.
No.HostComedian(s)First broadcastViewers (millions)12x01Sarah MillicanTom Allen and Arj Barker1.1312x02Josh WiddicombeCelia Pacquola and Nathan Caton12x03Gina YashereEllie Taylor and Sam Simmons12x04Adam HillsMichelle Wolf and Jamali Maddix0.7512x05Frankie BoyleHolly Walsh and Jack Carroll1.0712x06Joe LycettIvo Graham and Phil Wang12x07Romesh RanganathanSeann Walsh, Kerry Godliman and Spencer Jones1.78
Series 13 (2017–2018) The thirteenth series of Live at the Apollo was broadcast on BBC Two from 30 November 2017.
No.HostComedian(s)First broadcastViewers (millions)13x01Sara PascoeGary Delaney and Larry Dean13x02Nish KumarDavid O'Doherty and Luisa Omielan13x03Rob BeckettJen Brister and Darren Harriott13x04Katherine RyanMarlon Davis, John Robins and Joel Dommett13x05Henning WehnLucy Porter and Guz Khan13x06Dane BaptisteDesiree Burch and Chris McCausland13x07Ed ByrneAngela Barnes and Geoff Norcott
Series 14 (2018) The fourteenth series of Live at the Apollo was broadcast on BBC Two from 15 November 2018.
No.HostComedian(s)First broadcastViewers (millions)14x01Ellie TaylorTez Ilyas and Fin Taylor14x02Dara Ó BriainFelicity Ward and Mo Gilligan14x03Gina YashereLost Voice Guy and Ed Gamble14x04Phil WangBrennan Reece and Rachel Parris14x05Kerry GodlimanSuzi Ruffell and Loyiso Gola14x06Jamali MaddixSindhu Vee and Fern Brady14x07Sarah MillicanAhir Shah, Laura Lexx and Gary Delaney
Series 15 (2019) The fifteenth series of Live at the Apollo was broadcast on BBC Two from 5 November 2019.
No.HostComedian(s)First broadcastViewers (millions)15x01Tom AllenRosie Jones and Kae Kurd15x02Sindhu VeeAlex Edelman and Lou Sanders15x03Guz KhanKiri Pritchard-McLean and Rhys James15x04Darren HarriottJessica Fostekew and Stephen Bailey15x05Ardal O'HanlonMawaan Rizwan and Sara Barron15x06Desiree BurchPaul McCaffrey and Jonny Pelham15x07Sara PascoeChris McCausland and Flo and Joan
Series 16 (2021) The sixteenth series of Live at the Apollo was broadcast on BBC Two from 10 November 2021. This show wasn't filmed the previous year (2020) due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
No.HostComedian(s)First broadcastViewers (millions)16x01Chris McCauslandSophie Duker and Emmanuel Sonubi16x02Loyiso GolaScott Bennett and Helen Bauer16x03Zoe LyonsRia Lina and Tom Ward16x04Larry DeanHarriet Kemsley and Slim16x05Angela BarnesSarah Keyworth and Tim Renkow16x06Jen BristerAdam Rowe and Esther Manito16x07Jason ManfordMaisie Adam and Nabil Abdulrashid
Series 17 (2022–23) The seventeenth series of Live at the Apollo was broadcast on BBC Two from 19 December 2022.
No.HostComedian(s)First broadcastViewers (millions)17x01Rosie JonesEshaan Akbar and Cally Beaton17x02Ed GambleTom Davis and Judi Love17x03Kae KurdLaura Smyth and Liam Farrelly17x04Kiri Pritchard-McLeanCatherine Bohart and Babatunde Aléshé17x05Geoff NorcottMichelle de Swarte and Sean McLoughlin17x06Suzi RuffellAlfie Brown and Sikisa17x07Tez IlyasSpring Day and Ignacio Lopez
Series 18 (2023) The eighteenth series of Live at the Apollo was broadcast on BBC Two from 7 November 2023.
No.HostComedian(s)First broadcastViewers (millions)18x01Nabil AbdulrashidJake Lambert and Rachel Fairburn18x02Ria LinaLucy Beaumont and Josh Pugh18x03Lou SandersCelya AB and Neil Delamere18x04Maisie AdamMichael Odewale and Susie McCabe18x05Emmanuel SonubiTroy Hawke and Olga Koch18x06Stephen BaileyLara Ricote and Glenn Moore18x07Tom AllenThanyia Moore and Lloyd Griffith Series 19 (2024–25) The nineteenth series of Live at the Apollo was broadcast on BBC Two from 19 December 2024.
No.HostComedian(s)First broadcastViewers (millions)19x01Judi LoveJohn Kearns and Dan Tiernan19 December 202419x02Joel DommettJamie MacDonald and Fatiha El-Ghorri31 December 202419x03Paul ChowdhryAnia Magliano and Ian Smith7 January 202519x04Sara PascoeAmy Gledhill and Eddie Kadi14 January 202519x05Babatúndé AléshéChloe Petts and Lindsey Santoro21 January 202519x06Iain StirlingHarriet Dyer and Maria Shehata28 January 202519x07Tim RenkowJanine Harouni and Stuart Goldsmith4 February 2025
Series 20 (2025–26) The twentieth series of Live at the Apollo was broadcast on BBC Two from 23 December 2025.
No.HostComedian(s)First broadcastViewers (millions)20x01Josh WiddicombeAndrew Mensah and Harriet Kemsley23 December 202520x02Mo GilliganLaura Smyth and Josh Pugh30 December 202520x03Dara Ó BriainJack Skipper and Felicity Ward6 January 202620x04Desiree BurchSuzi Ruffell and Finlay Christie13 January 202620x05Ivo GrahamCatherine Bohart and Nabil Abdulrashid20 January 202620x06Tom DavisKae Kurd and Louise Young27 January 202620x07Kiri Pritchard-McLeanEshaan Akbar and Angela Barnes3 February 2026
Specials Assorted special episodes have been broadcast by the BBC. No.TitleFirst broadcastViewers (millions)Sx01All Girls (part 1)Sx02All Girls (part 2)Sx03Pride (part 1)Sx04Pride (part 2)Sx05The One About… RelationshipsSx06The One About… SexSx07The One About… KidsSx08The One About… TransportSx09The One About… ShoppingSx10The One About… CelebritySx11Access All AreasSx12Secrets of the Apollo
Guest appearances The following have appeared as a guest on the show multiple times up to and including the broadcast episodes of series 15:
Most appearances in total 14 appearances Jack Dee
8 appearances Dara Ó Briain
6 appearances Jason Manford
5 appearances Rich Hall Sean Lock Sarah Millican Sara Pascoe Josh Widdicombe
4 appearances Frankie Boyle Ed Byrne Russell KaneHosts 14 appearances as host Jack Dee (includes 12 appearances as regular host, plus 2 appearances as guest host)
7 appearances as host Dara Ó Briain
4 appearances as host Sean Lock Sarah Millican Jason Manford
References
External links