Ahead of the launch of his new four-part Radio 4 series, Namaste, on 10th September, we caught up with Omid to talk about the role comedy plays in an increasingly polarised world, people’s biggest misconceptions about him, and how he stays hopeful.
You describe the world as feeling louder, angrier and stranger than ever. Do you think we're actually more divided today, or just hearing more disagreement?
It’s hard to say. Much of what we see online is AI.
Following a hugely successful Edinburgh Festival Fringe and New York Soho Playhouse run in the autumn, Sky Arts Award-winning comedian Elf Lyons is set to perform her critically acclaimed show, Elf Lyons IS The Woman on the Edge at Soho Theatre Walthamstow in January 2027.
This was the most talked about comedy show at the Edinburgh Fringe this year and a shock omission from the Edinburgh Comedy Awards list. Read our review here.
Rose Matafeo is set to compete in a second series of Taskmaster. Having appeared in the UK version in 2019, she is now been names as one of the contestants in the New Zealand version.
Following a successful pilot, Channel 4 have commissioned a series of the new play-at-home gameshow, Your Time Starts Now (w/t). The new 8x60’ series is devised and developed by Alex Horne, creator and host of BAFTA and Rose D’Or winning Taskmaster and Andy Devonshire, founding Series Director on shows including The Apprentice, The Great British Bake Off and Taskmaster.
Prime Video has revealed the line-up for the third series of UK Original series Last One Laughing. The brand new series, hosted by Jimmy Carr, will see a fresh group of British comics fight for the Last One Laughing trophy.
Hit comedy Ann Droid has been commissioned for a second run after attracting 7.6 million viewers (28 days) for episode one, making it the BBC’s second biggest new scripted launch of the year to date, after Small Prophets.
The show, produced by Boffola Pictures and Witchcraft Industries, was created by BAFTA and Emmy nominated actor and writer Diane Morgan (Mandy, Cunk) and co-written by Morgan and Sarah Kendall (Frayed, The Other One).
Kate Dolan: Trout has won Best Show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in The Comedians’ Choice Awards 2026 - as voted by comedians performing at the Edinburgh Fringe this year.
Kate said ‘I’m the happiest I’ve ever been, I wasn’t even this happy on my wedding day. I’m so honoured, who knows more about comedy than comedians, and all men of course.’
The ISH Edinburgh Comedy Awards have announced the shortlists for Best Show, Best Newcomer, the Panel Prize, Best Tech and Best Joke.
The nominees represent an extraordinary range of artists, styles and venues from across this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
The increasingly prestigious Malcolm Hardee Awards, started in memory of one of comedy’s most outrageous comedy pioneers, has announced its shortlist.
There are three categories of awards; Comic Originality, Act That Should Make A Million Quid, and the Cunning Stunt award, in honour of the act who has found the most inventive way to publicise their Edinburgh Fringe show.
The shortlists have been revealed for The List Festival Awards. Returning for a third year, The List Festival Awards pay tribute to the artists and creatives making a mark across Edinburgh’s festival scene.
The shortlists are as follows:
Edinburgh Festival Fringe – Best Comedy Show (Supported by Whyte & Mackay)
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