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 4, Episode 7 repeated at 9:20am on CBBC
  • JustWatch Streaming rank this week: 622

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2014 Specials - Frightful First World War Special

This special reveals how Girl Guides were used to pass on secret war-time information; tells of the terrors of trench life; and hears a frustrated captain try to explain the not-so-simple reasons for Britain joining the war.

Preview clips

Further details

Horrible Histories. Image shows from L to R: Ben Willbond, Laurence Rickard, Mathew Baynton, Jim Howick, Simon Farnaby. Copyright: Lion Television / Citrus Television

This special 40-minute episode reveals how Girl Guides were used to pass on secret war-time information; tells of the terrors of trench life - all fleas, bangs and number twos in a bucket; and hears a frustrated captain try to explain the not-so-simple reasons for Britain joining the war.

Horrible Histories also divulges more about the extraordinary football match that took place during the Christmas Day Truce, and discovers what happened to turn a German Shepherd dog into an Alsatian.

There's also a song from the Suffragettes all about how women's roles were changed by the war.

Horrible Histories. Image shows from L to R: Mathew Baynton, Simon Farnaby. Copyright: Lion Television / Citrus Television
Horrible Histories. Image shows from L to R: Laurence Rickard, Mathew Baynton. Copyright: Lion Television / Citrus Television
Horrible Histories. Image shows from L to R: Ben Willbond, Laurence Rickard, Mathew Baynton, Jim Howick, Simon Farnaby. Copyright: Lion Television / Citrus Television

Notes

World War I broke out on 28th July 1914, with Britain's First World War declaration occurring on 4th August 1914... 100 years to the day from this episode's broadcast.

Broadcast details

Date
Monday 4th August 2014
Time
9am
Channel
CBBC
Length
45 minutes

Cast & crew

Cast
Jim Howick Various
Simon Farnaby Various
Ben Willbond Various
Mathew Baynton Various
Martha Howe-Douglas Various
Laurence Rickard Various
Jon Culshaw Various (Voice)
Jess Robinson Various (Voice)
Alice Lowe Ensemble Actor
Lawry Lewin Ensemble Actor
John Eccleston Rattus Rattus
Guest cast
Matthew Fenton Ensemble Actor
Harley Johnston Ensemble Actor
Writing team
Ben Ward Writer
Dave Cohen Writer
Laurence Rickard Writer
Gerard Foster Writer
Giles Pilbrow Writer
Steve Punt Writer
Caroline Norris Writer
Production team
Steve Connelly Director
Dominic Brigstocke Director
Chloe Thomas Director
Caroline Norris Series Producer
Giles Pilbrow Producer
Imogen Cooper Producer
Melissa Hardinge Executive Producer
Richard Bradley Executive Producer
Alison Gregory Executive Producer
Peter Oliver Editor
Nigel Williams Editor
Mike Holliday Editor
Will Peverett Editor
Miranda Jones Production Designer
Richie Webb Composer

Videos

The WWI comedy newspaper

Horrible Histories focuses on the real-life story of The Wipers Times, a satirical newspaper distributed in the trenches.

Featuring: Jim Howick, Simon Farnaby, Mathew Baynton & Laurence Rickard.

England vs Germany football match

Two commentators watch on as a historic game of football is played.

Featuring: Jim Howick, Simon Farnaby, Ben Willbond, Mathew Baynton & Laurence Rickard.

WW1 Song

A song from three rulers.

Featuring: Jim Howick, Mathew Baynton & Laurence Rickard.

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