The tension is building. Can Bob Mortimer, the delightfully unpredictable champion of last year’sLast One Laughing, defend his title against a fresh wave of comedic challengers? The premise is elegantly simple: ten of the UK’s sharpest minds attempt to make each other crack a smile, with the last one standing crowned the victor.
Mortimer, known for his brilliantly off-kilter wit onWould I Lie To You?, isn’t resting on his laurels. He’s identified one competitor as a particularly formidable threat: Romesh Ranganathan. The fear, as Mortimer described it, was a constant anticipation of an unexpected comedic assault. “I thought: ‘He’s going to hit me with something any minute now.’”
That sentiment was echoed by fellow contestant Diane Morgan, famed for her deadpan persona as Philomena Cunk. Morgan observed that Ranganathan’s humor is uniquely potent, even in moments of apparent sadness. “When he looks sad it’s even funnier,” she remarked, acknowledging the subtle power of his comedic timing.
Season one ofLast One Laughingquickly became a cultural phenomenon, fueled by moments of genuine hilarity. Viewers were captivated by Mortimer’s impromptu song, “Slender People,” a bizarre lyrical masterpiece that nearly broke Daisy May Cooper. The song’s absurd verses – referencing raspberry jam, lemon curd, and a darkly humorous intent to “kill again in Dungeness” – unexpectedly went viral.
The song’s reach extended beyond the streaming platform. Comedians Maisie Adam and Diane Morgan revealed they’d overheard strangers humming the tune on the street. Even more surprisingly, another of Mortimer’s lines, “Meat and cheeses always pleases,” has found its way onto merchandise, from tea towels to t-shirts.
The origin of this now-iconic phrase lies in a delightfully awkward speed date with Richard Ayoade. When asked about his parents’ professions, Mortimer, with characteristic quick wit, misinterpreted “Nasa” as a supermarket. The resulting exchange, and Mortimer’s perfectly timed delivery, cemented the line in comedic history – even earning a nomination for a 2026 Bafta TV Award Moment of the Year.
Mortimer’s strategy for surviving the gauntlet of laughter? A “safety face.” He advises fellow contestants to have a go-to expression to deploy in moments of extreme comedic pressure. Maisie Adam playfully pointed out Diane Morgan’s technique – a deliberate underbite designed to stifle a laugh.
However, some tactics are considered… questionable. Diane Morgan believes that physically “running away” from a funny opponent should be penalized, suggesting a “yellow card” system. It’s a cheeky maneuver, she argues, designed to avoid the inevitable burst of laughter.
The pressure is on, and the stakes are high. Romesh Ranganathan himself admitted to actively avoiding Mortimer, recognizing the danger of his unpredictable humor. “I didn’t want to see Bob Mortimer,” he confessed, “He’s just so unpredictably funny.”
Mel Giedroyc, another competitor, succinctly summed up the prevailing sentiment: Bob Mortimer is “the one to watch.” But in a game built on surprise and spontaneity, anything can happen.Last One Laughingpromises a season of side-splitting moments and unexpected twists.
