British Comedy Guide
Horrible Histories. Image shows from L to R: Gemma Whelan, Ryan Sampson, Tom Stourton
Horrible Histories

Horrible Histories

  • TV sketch show
  • CBBC / BBC One
  • 2009 - 2024
  • 139 episodes (10 series)

Hit sketch show based on surprising facts from world history, inspired by the hit children's book series. Stars Jim Howick, Simon Farnaby, Ben Willbond, Mathew Baynton, Martha Howe-Douglas and more.

  • Due to return for Series 11
  • Series 8, Episode 7 repeated at 9:20am on CBBC
  • JustWatch Streaming rank this week: 594

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Series 1, Episode 13

A lazy aristocrat invents the sandwich, the Romans host their own revolting cookery show, and William Shakespeare is haunted by the ghost of King Richard III.

Further details

The critically acclaimed historical comedy series concludes this week in true Horrible Histories style, with a selection of sketches packed with gore and toilet humour.

Roman Kitchen Nightmares examines the culinary tastes of the Romans, including tantalising dishes such as sheep's lungs mixed with rotten fish, and the programme also explores the communal delights of Roman lavatoriums.

Meanwhile, guts and gore from Victorian times are detailed in a sketch about life in Crimean hospitals before the arrival of Florence Nightingale, and the macabre carryings on of body snatchers Burke and Hare - who murdered people to sell their bodies to the Edinburgh physician Knox for dissection - are regaled in song.

Rounding off the programme, the last Pharaoh of Egypt is revealed in This is Your Reign; and the ghost of Richard III returns to question Shakespeare's artistic license and lack of historical accuracy.

Broadcast details

Date
Thursday 9th July 2009
Time
4:35pm
Channel
BBC One
Length
30 minutes

Cast & crew

Cast
Jim Howick Various
Simon Farnaby Various
Ben Willbond Various
Mathew Baynton Various
Martha Howe-Douglas Various
Laurence Rickard Various
Sarah Hadland Various
Jon Culshaw Various (Voice)
Jess Robinson Various (Voice)
Giles Terera Ensemble Actor
Katy Wix Ensemble Actor
Javone Prince Ensemble Actor
John Eccleston Rattus Rattus
Writing team
Ben Ward Writer
Dave Cohen Writer
Jon Holmes Writer
Production team
Steve Connelly Director
Chloe Thomas Director
Caroline Norris Series Producer
Giles Pilbrow Producer
Dominic Brigstocke Producer
Richard Bradley Executive Producer
Kim Shillinglaw Executive Producer
Charlie Fawcett Editor
Michelle Turkington Editor
Miranda Jones Production Designer
Richie Webb Composer
Matt Katz Composer

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