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 - 2025
  • 154 episodes (11 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.

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Press clippings Page 12

Horrible Histories style kids gameshow with Dave Lamb

Acerbic Come Dine With Me voice Dave Lamb is to host a children's quiz show - a spin-off from hit series Horrible Histories.

The Mirror, 9th February 2011

BBC orders Horrible Histories game show

The BBC is developing Gory Games, a CBBC game show spin-off from the British Comedy Award winning Horrible Histories sketch show.

British Comedy Guide, 9th February 2011

The best laughs are on children's TV

CBBC's Horrible Histories triumphed over its adult counterparts at the British Comedy Awards - and rightly so, says Gerard Gilbert.

Gerard Gilbert, The Independent, 26th January 2011

The one we're really looking forward to is the Horrible Histories Christmas Special, featuring the likes of Simon Farnaby and Alice Lowe. Here be sketches about real-life oddities such as "Roland the Farter", a jester employed by King Henry II on Christmas day to maketh a noyse like a duck from his bottom parts.

Ali Catterall, The Guardian, 17th December 2010

The educational history series for children offers an insight into Christmas that even adults will enjoy. When William the Conqueror was crowned on Christmas Day in 1066, his soldiers mistook the congregation's cheering for a riot and burned down Westminster Abbey. Indeed, something else viewers may not know: apparently King Henry II's jester's job was solely to break wind on Christmas Day for the monarch's amusement. We can't imagine our current Queen being quite so amused, somehow.

Catherine Gee, The Telegraph, 17th December 2010

From jesters with troublesome wind to Christmas cards full of bacon, this Horrible Histories special foregoes goodwill to all men and instead focuses on the the past's most bizarre Yuletide absurdities. Told with the programme's familiar blend of sketches, pastiches and silly songs, Horrible Histories Christmas Special works its way through the annals (careful) of history for a naughty festive treat that really is fun for all the family.

Sky, 17th December 2010

BBC hope Horrible Histories will throw new spin on past

Horrible Histories, a factual series aimed at children, is to be remade and given a prime-time slot on BBC One in the Corporation's latest attempt to bring the past to an adult audience.

Jonathan Wynne-Jones, The Telegraph, 5th December 2010

Horrible Histories to be remade for adult audience

BBC One has commissioned an adaptation of CBBC sketch show Horrible Histories, to be hosted by Stephen Fry.

British Comedy Guide, 5th December 2010

Three Children's Baftas for Horrible Histories

CBBC show Horrible Histories has won three awards at the Children's Baftas, where former Play School presenter Brian Cant picked up a special award.

BBC News, 29th November 2010

It's 1349, the Scottish army invades England, as the country is weak after being ravaged by the plague. But it doesn't prove very smart because the Scots catch the plague and take it back with them to Scotland. Here are more amazing facts and straightforward, sometimes bloodthirsty humour. Watch out for a neat reversal in the Spartan School, where an ancient schoolkid wins praise for attacking the teachers and bullying the other kids. And we're still amazed to learn how monks kept their bald patches hair-free (with pumice stone).

Geoff Ellis, Radio Times, 13th July 2010

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