Inside Chris McCausland and Lee Mack’s friendship as comedians join forces for ‘best’ Christmas film-Ruth Lawes-Entertainment – Metro

Chris McCausland and Lee Mack are becoming the UK’s favourite comedy duo (Picture: Natalie Seery/Sky)

Strictly star Chris McCausland and Lee Mack have contributed to the Christmas film canon with Bad Tidings – but how well did they know each other before?

In the movie, which has been compared to Home Alone, warring neighbours Scott (McCausland) and Neil (Mack) have to put their differences aside to solve a neighbourhood crime.

The film has already been hailed as an instant classic, with viewers on social media calling it ‘easily one of the best comedy Christmas films I have watched in years.’

Chris, 47, was one of the writers on Bad Tidings and approached Lee, 56 – who agreed to star in the Christmas caper without having seen the script in advance.

Chris said: ‘I had an idea about a Christmas heist involving a blind character taking down the villains, with lots of visual comedy and action.

He added to What To Watch: ‘So I thought, “Let’s get that idiot involved, too. He’s the best in his price range”.’

However, Bad Tidings is not the first time Lee and Chris have shared a screen togethers. Here’s a look back over their years long friendship.

How long have they known each other?

Chris and Lee have both appeared togather on UK panel TV shows including Would I Lie To You? (Picture: BBC/Zeppotron, an Endemol Shine Company/Brian Ritchie)

Chris and Lee have known each other for ‘years’ on the TV comedy circuit.

Both have appeared on multiple channel shows, including an episode of the BBC’s Would I Lie To You? together.

As Lee explained their friendship to What To Watch: ‘I’d worked with Chris on panel shows over the years, but we did a speech at the Baftas in 2022 that seemed to go down well.’

Two years ago, Chris and Lee were partnered together to present the female performance in a comedy award at the Baftas. It was won by Alma’s Not Normal star Sophie Willan.

Chris and Lee presented an award to Sophie at the Baftas in 2022 (Picture: Dave Benett)

Their appearance marked the first time a blind comedian had presented a Bafta in the award show’s 75 year history.

In their speech, the pair made jokes about Chris’ inability to read the autocue, with Lee instead reading out Chris’ lines for him to repeat.

The social media reaction was huge, with haywardwestjan exclaiming on Instagram: ‘This was the only highlight of the BAFTAs. The rest was tiresome.’

Echoing their sentiment, buzzybeesonthego raved: ‘Love these two.’

What TV projects have they done together?

Chris, who is at the back wearing sunglasses, had a guest appearance on Not Going Out (Picture: BBC/Avalon/Pete Dadds)

Lee and Chris realised they had TV chemistry gold after presenting an award together at the Baftas.

The 1% host explained that their appearance together led to Chris appearing in an episode of his sitcom Not Going Out.

In the sitcom, Chris plays a blind passenger called Martin who helps himself to Lee’s character Lee’s seat on the train.

The duo don’t currently have any more TV projects coming up – but haven’t ruled out working togather again.

When asked about future shows, Chris told Yahoo: ‘Well, after two weeks of night shoots in Romford, Essex, we’ve decided the sequel will be a road trip to Miami.

‘We do work well together, though: we’re both a pain in the bum and we tolerate each other.

Lee joked: ‘I’ve got one eye on retirement and a greenhouse now, so if you’re interviewing us on Bad Tidings 9 and I’m back in Romford for the ninth year running, I might be slightly irritated.’

What is the reaction to Bad Tidings?

Fans have declared Bad Tidings a new Christmas staple (Picture: Natalie Seery)

TV viewers have declared Bad Tidings – which is available to watch on Now – as perfect family entertainment over the Christmas period.

On X @SamuelLiddell8 raved: ‘#BadTidings was really enjoyable and funny. I highly recommend it.’

Echoing their sentiment, @LewisJohnY2 enthused: ‘This was such a feel good funny Christmas movie. Some great humour and heart in this film and the comedy keeps up as it enters its Home Alone style third act. Definitely worth a watch!’

@LauraPa79602511 wrote: ‘#BadTidings is easily one of the best comedy Christmas films I have watched in years. Funny, uplifting and some burglars getting absolutely battered @chrismccausland and @LeeMack – Can we get another one please.’

@Pickitflickit said: ‘The best British comedy film I’ve seen in years – really funny script backed up by the perfect pairing of Lee Mack and @chrismccausland.#BadTidings.’

Bad Tidings is available to stream on Now.

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