''Harry Hill'', later titled ''The All-New Harry Hill Show'' and also referred to as ''The Harry Hill Show'', is a

British British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. * British national identity, the characteristics of British people and culture ...

stand-up Stand-up comedy is a performance directed to a live audience, where the performer stands on a stage (theatre), stage and delivers humour, humorous and satire, satirical monologues sometimes incorporating physical comedy, physical acts. These ...

comedy sketch show, starring comedian

Harry Hill Matthew Keith Hall (born 1 October 1964), known professionally as Harry Hill, is an English comedian, presenter and writer. He pursued a career in stand-up following years working as a medical doctor, developing an offbeat, energetic performanc ...

, that ran for four series from 1997 to 2003, on both

Channel 4 Channel 4 is a British free-to-air public broadcast television channel owned and operated by Channel Four Television Corporation. It is state-owned enterprise, publicly owned but, unlike the BBC, it receives no public funding and is funded en ...

and

ITV ITV or iTV may refer to: Television TV stations/networks/channels ITV *Independent Television (ITV), a British television network and company, including: **ITV (TV network), a free-to-air national commercial television network in the United Kingd ...

Broadcast

Channel 4 (1997–2000)

The original Channel 4 series of ''Harry Hill'' was commissioned on the back of the success of '' Fruit Fancies'', a series of six short comedy films written and performed by Hill, which were broadcast on

BBC Two BBC Two is a British free-to-air Public service broadcasting in the United Kingdom, public broadcast television channel owned and operated by the BBC. It is the corporation's second flagship channel, and it covers a wide range of subject matte ...

, and a sell-out theatre tour in 1996 which was given excellent reviews by critics and fans alike. The

series was commissioned in January 1997. The programme's title, as shown in the title sequence, was simply ''Harry Hill'', but was often referred to, in some programme listings, as ''The Harry Hill Show''. As well as writing and producing the majority of the show's material himself, the Channel 4 version of the series also featured regular performances from

Al Murray Alastair James Hay Murray (born 10 May 1968) is an English comedian. After graduating from the University of Oxford, Murray's comedy career began by working with Harry Hill for BBC Radio 4. He regularly performed at the Edinburgh Festival Frin ...

, who played Harry's older brother, Alan,

Burt Kwouk Herbert Tsangtse Kwouk ( Kwouk; ; ; 18 July 1930 – 24 May 2016) was a British actor. He is perhaps best known for his role as Cato in the '' Pink Panther'' films. He made appearances in many television programmes, including a portrayal of I ...

, who appeared as himself, Steve Bowditch, who played Harry's chief scientist, Finsbury Park, and Matt Bradstock, who played Harry's three year old adopted son, Alan Hill Jr. Each episode was introduced by

Barrie Gosney Barrie Gosney (1926, Surrey – 24 January 2008) was a British television, film and theatrical actor. In a career spanning five decades, Gosney played roles in ''Up Pompeii'', ''Last of the Summer Wine'', '' Believe Nothing'', ''Time Gentlemen ...

. Each episode would also include regular features, such as Burt Kwouk performing "Hey Little Hen", the Badger Parade, Harry reading the news disguised as

Zeinab Badawi Zeinab Mohammed-Khair Badawi (; born 3 October 1959) is a Sudanese-British television and radio journalist, educator, civic activist, and writer. She was the first presenter of the ''ITV Morning News'' (later known as '' ITV News at 5:30''), an ...

, and occasionally, a tale from Nana Hill, Harry's eighty two year old nan. The Channel 4 version ran for three years, between 30 May 1997 and 24 April 2000, and spawned three series. The Channel 4 series was produced by ''Avalon Television''. To tie in with the series, Channel 4 released a book, ''Harry Hill's Fun Book'', for Christmas 1998.

ITV1 (2003)

Following the success of Harry's latest television series, ''

TV Burp ''Harry Hill's TV Burp'' (also referred to as ''TV Burp'') is a British television comedy clip series, written and hosted by comedian Harry Hill, and produced by Avalon Television for ITV. The show's format sees Hill take a comedic look towa ...

'', which was broadcast on

, ITV decided to recommission the series for themselves, purchasing the rights from Channel 4. For the revival, the show was retitled ''The All-New Harry Hill Show'', and a series of six episodes were broadcast between 9 February and 16 March 2003. New features for the revival included "The Hamilton Challenge", where each week

Neil Neil is a masculine name of Irish origin. The name is an anglicisation of the Irish ''Niall'' which is of disputed derivation. The Irish name may be derived from words meaning "cloud", "passionate", "victory", "honour" or "champion".. As a surname ...

and

Christine Hamilton Mary Christine Hamilton (''née'' Holman; born 10 November 1949) is an English media personality and author. She is married to Neil Hamilton, the former Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) for Tatton. Hamilton and her husband have become ...

would take on one of a number of different challenges, and "Celebrity hobby that you didn't know about.... but will in a minute", in which Harry would invite a celebrity on, who would then reveal their secret hobby, and the Bouncy Castle, whereby the show would end with the entire audience coming on stage, and bouncing on a giant bouncy castle. Although viewing figures were high enough, ITV decided not to commission another series.

''Whatever Happened to Harry Hill?'' (2012)

In June 2012, as part of Channel 4's upcoming ''Funny Fortnight'', Hill filmed a spoof documentary, entitled ''Whatever Happened to Harry Hill?''. Featuring interviews with Alan Hill (

), Burt Kwouk and the Badgers, the "documentary" reveals the history of the show in a spoof light, with a fake storyline that Hill was the cause of the show's demise, becoming addicted to Sild and abusing cast members. Two new sketches featured Alan Hill performing as

Rizzle Kicks Rizzle Kicks are a British hip-hop duo from Brighton, England, consisting of Jordan "Rizzle" Stephens (born 25 January 1992) and Harley "Sylvester" Alexander-Sule (born 1991). Their debut album, '' Stereo Typical'', was released in 2011. As o ...

and Hill, Alan, Burt Kwouk and Stouffer dressing up as the judges of ''

The Voice UK ''The Voice UK'' is a British singing reality competition television series. Created by John de Mol and Roel van Velzen, it premiered on BBC One on 24 March 2012. Based on the original Dutch singing competition '' The Voice of Holland'', and ...

'', to perform a rendition of

Jessie J Jessica Ellen Cornish (born 27 March 1988), known professionally as Jessie J, is an English singer and songwriter. Born and raised in London, she began her career on stage, aged 11, with a role in the West End musical '' Whistle Down the Wind ...

's "

Price Tag A price tag is a label declaring the price of an item for sale. It may be a sticker or attached by twist tie or other means. Some jurisdictions require items (possibly exceptions for bulk good and produce) to be individually marked with the p ...

". The spoof documentary aired on 23 August 2012, alongside repeats of episodes from the first and third series of the show.

Episodes

Series 1 (1997)

* Episode 1 (30 May 1997) – Guests: Keith Harris & Orville * Episode 2 (6 June 1997) – Guests:

Chas & Dave Chas & Dave (often billed as Chas 'n' Dave) were an English pop rock duo, formed in London by Chas Hodges and Dave Peacock (musician), Dave Peacock. They were most notable as creators and performers of a musical style labelled ''rockney'' (a p ...

* Episode 3 (13 June 1997) – Guests:

Garry Bushell Garry Bushell (born 13 May 1955) is an English newspaper columnist, rock music journalist, television presenter, author, musician and political activist. Bushell also sings in the Cockney Oi! bands GBX and the Gonads. He managed the New York C ...

* Episode 4 (27 June 1997) – Guests:

Billy Bragg Stephen William Bragg (born 20 December 1957) is an English singer, songwriter, musician, author and political activist. His music blends elements of folk music, punk rock and protest songs, with lyrics that mostly span political or romantic th ...

* Episode 5 (4 July 1997) – Guests:

Ian Lavender Arthur Ian Lavender (16 February 1946 – 2 February 2024) was an English stage, film and television actor. He is best known for his role as Private Pike in ''Dad's Army'', a BBC sitcom set during World War II, of which he was the last survivi ...

* Episode 6 (11 July 1997) – Guests:

Rustie Lee Rustie Lee (born 22 May 1949) is a British-Jamaican television personality, television chef, actress and singer. She participated on the Channel 5 reality-television show '' Celebrity Super Spa'' in 2013; ITV's '' Who's Doing the Dishes?'', host ...

* Episode 7 (18 July 1997) – Guests:

Peter Davison Peter Malcolm Gordon Moffett (born 13 April 1951), known professionally as Peter Davison, is an English actor. He made his television acting debut in 1975 and became famous in 1978 as Tristan Farnon in the BBC's television adaptation of Jame ...

* Episode 8 (18 July 1997) – Guests:

Todd Carty Todd Carty, also known as Todd John Jennings (born Todd Robert Carty; 31 August 1963), is an actor and director who has grown up on television screens in a variety of roles. His stage appearances have ranged from serious drama to pantomime, an ...

Series 2 (1998)

* Episode 1 (30 October 1998) – Guests:

Little and Large ''Little and Large'' were a British comedy double act comprising straight man Syd Little (born Cyril John Mead; 19 December 1942) and comic Eddie Large (born Edward Hugh McGinnis; 25 June 1941 – 2 April 2020). Comedy duo They formed their pa ...

* Episode 2 (6 November 1998) – Guests:

Jan Leeming Janet Dorothy Leeming (née Atkins; born 5 January 1942) is an English television presenter and newsreader. Early life and education Leeming was born in Barnehurst, Kent, and educated at the Assumption Convent, Charlton and St Joseph's Conven ...

* Episode 3 (13 November 1998) – Guests:

Bill Pertwee William Desmond Anthony Pertwee (21 July 1926 – 27 May 2013) was an English actor and comedian. He is best remembered for playing Chief ARP Warden Hodges in ''Dad's Army'' and P.C. Wilson in '' You Rang, M'Lord?''. Early life Pertwee was bo ...

* Episode 4 (20 November 1998) – Guests:

Mystic Meg Margaret Anne Lake (27 July 1942 – 9 March 2023), best known by her stage name Mystic Meg, was an English astrologer who had a regular astrology column in ''The Sun'' and the ''News of the World''. She also hosted Mystic Meg's Wheel of Dest ...

* Episode 5 (27 November 1998) – Guests: Huffty * Episode 6 (11 December 1998) – Guests: Peter Baldwin * Episode 7 (18 December 1998) – Guests:

The Wurzels The Wurzels are an English Scrumpy and Western band from Somerset, best known for their number one hit " The Combine Harvester" and number three hit " I Am a Cider Drinker" in 1976. Name The name of the band was dreamt up by founder Adge C ...

* Episode 8 (18 December 1998) – Guests:

Sweep Sweep or swept may refer to: Cleaning * Sweep, the action of using a brush to clean * Chimney sweep, a worker who clears ash and soot from chimneys * Street sweeper, a person's occupation, or a machine that cleans streets * Swept quartz, a cle ...

* ''Harry Hill's Christmas Sleigh Ride'' (23 December 1998) – Guests:

Acker Bilk Bernard Stanley "Acker" Bilk, (28 January 1929 – 2 November 2014) was an English clarinetist and vocalist known for his breathy, vibrato-rich, lower-register style, and distinctive appearance – of goatee, bowler hat and striped waistco ...

and Ted Rogers

Series 3 (2000)

* ''Harry Hill's Christmas Memory Lane of Laughter'' (23 December 1999) – Guests:

Frank Skinner Christopher Graham Collins (born 28 January 1957), known professionally as Frank Skinner, is an English comedian, actor, presenter and writer. At the 2001 British Comedy Awards, he was named Best Comedy Entertainment Personality. His televisio ...

* Episode 1 (27 February 2000) – Guests:

Phill Jupitus Phillip Christopher Jupitus (, ''Given name#Name at birth, né'' Swan; born 25 June 1962) is a retired English stand-up comedy, stand-up and Improv comedy teacher, improv comedian, actor, performance poetry, performance poet, cartoonist and podc ...

* Episode 2 (5 March 2000) – Guests:

Russ Abbot Russell Allan Abbot (born Russell Allan Roberts; 18 September 1947) is an English musician, actor and comedian. Born in Chester, he first came to public notice during the 1970s as the singer and drummer with British comedy showband the Black A ...

* Episode 3 (12 March 2000) – Guests:

* Episode 4 (19 March 2000) – Guests:

Bobby Davro Robert Christopher Nankeville, known professionally as Bobby Davro (born 13 September 1958), is an English actor and comedian. He made his television debut in 1981 followed by breakthrough in ''Live from Her Majesty's'' (1983); this was follo ...

* Episode 5 (26 March 2000) – Guests:

Barbara Dickson Barbara Ruth Dickson (born 27 September 1947) is a Scottish singer and actress whose hits include " I Know Him So Well" (a chart-topping duet with Elaine Paige), " Answer Me" and " January February". Dickson has placed fifteen albums on the UK ...

* Episode 6 (9 April 2000) – Guests:

Karl Howman Karl Howman (born 13 December 1953) is an English writer, actor and director. Howman's first book, ''Secret Spitfires'', co-written with Ethem Cetintas and Gavin Clarke, went to paperback from hardback in 2022; he also co-directed and produced ...

* Episode 7 (16 April 2000) – Guests:

David Soul David Soul (born David Richard Solberg; August 28, 1943 – January 4, 2024) was an American-British actor and singer. With a career spanning five decades, he rose to prominence for portraying Detective Kenneth "Hutch" Hutchinson in the Americ ...

* Episode 8 (24 April 2000) – Guests:

Sarah Greene Elizabeth Sarah Greene is an English television presenter. She co-presented ''Blue Peter'' from May 1980 until June 1983, and hosted the Saturday-morning series ''Saturday Superstore'' and '' Going Live!''. Early life and career Greene was bo ...

and Mike Smith

Series 4 (2003)

* Episode 1 (9 February 2003) – Guests:

Nigel Havers Nigel Allan Havers (born 6 November 1951) is an English actor and presenter. His film roles include Lord Andrew Lindsay in the 1981 British film ''Chariots of Fire'', which earned him a BAFTA nomination; as Dr. Rawlins in the 1987 Steven Spielb ...

* Episode 2 (16 February 2003) – Guests:

Gail Porter Gail Porter (born 23 March 1971) is a Scottish television personality, former model and actress. She started her television career in children's TV, before branching out into modelling and presenting mainstream TV. In 1999, she posed nude for ' ...

and

Dan Hipgrave Daniel Hipgrave (born 5 August 1975) is an English musician and writer, best known as the guitarist of the post-Britpop/alternative rock band Toploader. Early life Hipgrave studied psychiatric nursing at the University of Sussex, until he left ...

* Episode 3 (23 February 2003) – Guests:

Dora Bryan Dora May Broadbent (7 February 1923 – 23 July 2014), known as Dora Bryan, was an English actress of stage, film and television.Les Dennis Leslie Dennis Heseltine (born 12 October 1953) is an English television presenter, actor and comedian. He presented '' Family Fortunes'' from 1987 to 2002. Early life Dennis was born as Leslie Dennis Heseltine on 12 October 1953 in the Liv ...

* Episode 5 (9 March 2003) – Guests:

Rick Parfitt Richard John Parfitt, (12 October 1948 24 December 2016) was an English musician, best known as a rhythm guitarist, singer and songwriter with rock band Status Quo (band), Status Quo. Parfitt began his career in the early 1960s, playing in p ...

* Episode 6 (16 March 2003) – Guests: Busted

Specials (2012)

* ''Whatever Happened to Harry Hill?'' (23 August 2012) – Guests:

Paul Burling Paul Burling (born 21 May 1969) is a British impressionist. A veteran of show business for 25 years, having worked in voiceover, radio and pantomime, he rose to national attention as a finalist of the fourth series of ''Britain's Got Talent''. H ...

External links

* *
''Harry Hill''
at BFI
''The All-New Harry Hill Show''
at BFI {{Harry Hill 1997 British television series debuts 2003 British television series endings 1990s British comedy television series 2000s British comedy television series Channel 4 comedy ITV comedy Television series by ITV Studios Harry Hill British English-language television shows