Hugh Dennis missed ‘comedy magic’ on panel shows

Hugh Dennis has admitted he sometimes missed the “comedy magic” on panel shows.

The 62-year-old actor and comic has long been entertaining the nation on TV programmes like ‘Mock the Week’ - which ran from 2005 to 2022 - though has now revealed he sometimes missed the comedic genius around him as he was “desperately thinking” about what to say next.

Speaking to the Metro’s 60 Seconds column, he said: “Most of the time when you’re on a panel show, you’re desperately thinking about what you say next, so you’re missing all the comedy magic happening around you.”

Hugh also revealed Rowan Atkinson, 69, was amongst his favourite comedians, and explained he was the first stand-up star he saw that could “move the air” with laughter.

He said: “I have been amazingly lucky to work with Lee Mack in ‘Not Going Out’ and various things.

“I remember a gig organised by Jasper for the NSPCC, where the headliner was Rowan Atkinson. It was the first time I became aware that if enough people laugh at the same time, it moves the air.

“You can feel that wave of laughter coming - astonishing.

“James Acaster, I find stupidly funny, too.”

The comedian was quizzed on whether his cameo appearance in the James Bond flick ‘No Time To Die’ was the pinnacle of his career, but Hugh insisted his best work is still to come.

He added: “That was an amazing thing to be asked to do - I’m so glad I did it.

“[But] I’m most proud of ‘Outnumbered’, just because it was such a good thing to be a part of and [it was] a lovely production.

“Then even though I only did four days on ‘Fleabag’, it was a phenomenon - I’m really pleased to have been a part of that.

“But I like to think the pinnacle of my career hast come. I don’t know whether that’s going to work out!”