Russell Howard, the well-known comedian and television personality, has revealed that he is stepping away from TV after an impressive 19-year career.
The 44-year-old comedian, who first gained attention as a regular on the BBC panel series Mock The Week, has made a name for himself hosting shows on both the BBC and Sky.
In a candid conversation on the Have A Word Podcast, Howard shared that in recent years, he’s preferred to focus on his stand-up comedy tours and podcasts, such as Five Brilliant Things and GoalLess.
He explained that his decision to leave television was largely influenced by his passion for stand-up.
Russell Prefers the Freedom of Stand-Up Over TV
“I don’t do TV anymore,” Russell said.
“I just do stand-up and my podcast. I had a pretty good run, but I just prefer doing stand-up.
I was all over the world, and it was just fun.”
Russell expressed that there is “nothing else he would rather do” than write his own comedy set and tour the country.
He explained that stand-up allows him the freedom to connect directly with his audience, something that he finds more fulfilling than the structured world of television.
“TV is fun, but it’s not as fun,” he continued.
“Writing a book? I couldn’t do that because I don’t want to entertain myself. Stand-up is what I love doing.
It’s not entertainment for committee, it’s your dictatorship… The audience is like this brilliant jury that lets you know through laughter whether it works or not.”
A Look Back at Russell’s Career in TV and Comedy
Russell’s television career was quite successful, with his Good News series running for 10 seasons on the BBC from 2009 to 2015.
In 2017, he went on to host The Russell Howard Hour on Sky TV, which ran for six series.
The show even had a unique Covid-themed season that was filmed from his home.
Russell’s latest major life change came in August 2024 when he announced that he had become a father for the first time.
He and his wife, Cerys Morgan, welcomed a son three months before making the announcement.
Russell, who married Cerys in 2019, described how his life had shifted since fatherhood.
Fatherhood and Family Life in Buckinghamshire
In a heartfelt interview with The Times, Russell shared that his evenings are now spent with his son, sitting on the sofa instead of performing in front of crowds.
“I’m tired a lot,” he admitted. “When you become a parent, everyone compliments you on your baby, but they’ll freely turn to you and say that you look like s**t.”
Russell and Cerys have recently moved from London to Buckinghamshire to start their new family life.
Cerys, a geriatric doctor, had been working on the frontlines of the NHS during the pandemic.
She had originally planned to take a six-month career break but returned to work when the pandemic struck, helping the NHS during the crisis.
Russell’s Memorable Comedy Moments and Setbacks
While Russell’s career has largely been celebrated, he’s also faced his share of challenges.
In August 2020, he made headlines for walking off stage during a gig in Bristol after a member of the audience filmed him without permission.
He told the woman filming that it was “the worst thing she could do” and even mimicked her filming him before walking off stage.
A spokesperson for Russell clarified the situation, stating, “Any comedian whose set is being recorded at a new material night would find it distracting.
The beauty of live performance, particularly at this strange time, is it’s intended for the room only.”
Despite these setbacks, Russell Howard’s decision to focus on his stand-up career and podcasts reflects his passion for comedy and the satisfaction he gets from connecting directly with his audience.
Fans will surely continue to support his future endeavors, whether on the stage or behind the mic.