Russell Howard vows that he’s ‘done with TV’ after 19 years-Pierra Willix-Entertainment – Metro

Russell Howard has revealed he wont’ be appearing on TV anymore (Picture: Shutterstock)

Russell Howard has revealed he’s stepped away from working on TV after nearly two decades on screen.

The comedian and TV presenter, 44, is best known for appearing on panel show Mock the Week as well as hosting Russell Howard’s Good News and The Russell Howard Hour.

Over the years he’s also featured on 8 Out of 10 Cats, Would I Lie to You?, Taskmaster and Never Mind the Buzzcocks.

However, he’s now announced he is switching his focus away from TV projects and instead spending time on his stand-up and podcasting.

‘I don’t do TV anymore, I just do stand-up and my podcast,’ he said about walking away from TV.

‘I had a pretty good run; I just prefer doing stand-up.

He instead wants to focus on his stand-up and podcasts (Picture: Have A Word)

‘I was all over the world and it was just fun,’ he added when appearing on the Have A Word podcast.

Russell added there was ‘nothing else’ he’d rather do than working on a stand-up set and touring it.

‘TV is fun but it’s not as fun. Writing a book, I couldn’t do because I don’t want to sit and entertain myself but doing stand-up is what I love doing.

‘It’s not entertainment for committee, it’s your dictatorship…

‘The audience are like this brilliant jury that let you know through laughter whether it works or not.’

Russell’s last TV appearance was in August last year during an appearance on Channel 4’s Big Fat Quiz of Telly.

He had previously hosted his Good News series for the BBC between 2009 and 2015.

Two years later he launched The Russell Howard Hour for Sky TV. That ran until 2022.

He currently hosts two podcasts – Russell Howard’s Five Brilliant Things, and the football themed series GoalLess.

Last year he told The Telegraph podcasts were also easier to make than TV.

The comedian first appeared on TV on Mock The Week in 2006 (Picture: Kazam Media/ Shutterstock)

‘You can make better stuff and don’t have to wait for someone to tell you you’re allowed to do it. It’s kind of punk rock, setting up a podcast. You basically put out your own album,’ he said.

He also said it was harder for younger comics starting out now.

‘I don’t think there’s any TV to aim for, is there?

‘We’ve just had an election and there were no satirical programmes on TV. Literally nothing. The only comedy show you could aim for as a young comic is Have I Got News For You, but when I started there were lots of opportunities.’

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