Harry Enfield Sparks Laughter and Shock With Peter Mandelson Joke on The One Show Studio in London

The usually calm and polished studio of The One Show turned into a slightly tense, laughter-filled moment on Tuesday evening when comedian Harry Enfield made an unexpected quip about former Labour politician Peter Mandelson.

Hosts Roman Kemp and Alex Jones were left scrambling as the 64-year-old comic made a throwback joke during a segment about his upcoming tour, Harry Enfield And No Chums.

The show had already featured appearances by MasterChef: The Professionals judges Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti, but it was Enfield’s turn that brought the studio to a mix of stifled laughter and stunned silence.

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Fans Favorite Character Gets a Political Twist

When asked which of his past characters was his favorite to play, Enfield surprised the hosts by selecting ‘Nicey’ from the classic Smashie and Nicey sketches.

He then added, in a tongue-in-cheek manner, “The Peter Mandelson of pop, I call him.

He keeps on coming back at you.”

The comment sent the studio into awkward chuckles.

Roman Kemp could be heard laughing nervously, while Alex Jones quickly tried to steer the segment back on track, stating, “Gosh, we’ll leave that there.”

Viewers quickly took to X, formerly Twitter, sharing their reactions.

Many admitted to laughing at the joke, with one saying, “Harry knows what he’s doing… funny,” while another commented, “You can only imagine the producers screaming down the earpiece!”

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A Glimpse Into Peter Mandelson’s Controversial Past

Peter Mandelson, a senior figure in the Labour Party under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, also served as a European Commissioner for Trade.

In recent years, he made headlines over his personal connection to Jeffrey Epstein, which continued even after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution involving minors.

Following revelations from the Epstein files, Mandelson resigned from the House of Lords, marking a significant chapter in his public career.

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Revisiting the Controversial Nelson Mandela Sketch

Harry Enfield is no stranger to controversy.

In 2007, he faced criticism for a Harry & Paul sketch in which he portrayed Nelson Mandela as a crack dealer.

The sketch, intended as satire to highlight the limited and often negative roles available to black actors in British television at the time, drew widespread condemnation.

Enfield has defended the sketch in recent years, explaining on The Third Act podcast that his intentions were to critique racial stereotyping rather than cause offense.

He cited actor David Harewood, who once highlighted the difficulty of finding varied roles in the UK due to his skin color, as inspiration for the satirical piece.

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Comedy in an Age of Heightened Sensitivity

Reflecting on today’s comedy landscape, Enfield has voiced frustration over what he sees as excessive caution in humor.

“There are things you could say now that you can’t say,” he said, adding that while malice is unacceptable, mischief should remain fair game.

He pointed out that modern comedy often feels constrained by an echo chamber of like-minded critics, limiting creative expression.

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Audience Reaction and The One Show’s Response

Despite the awkward moment in the studio, the audience and fans online mostly appreciated Enfield’s sharp humor.

The hosts, while clearly caught off guard, managed to continue the segment without escalating the tension.

Fans seemed to agree that Enfield’s timing and awareness of cultural commentary remain as sharp as ever.

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What’s Next?

Enfield’s Harry Enfield And No Chums tour is expected to hit stages across the UK, promising both nostalgia and his signature satirical style.

Meanwhile, debates around comedy, taste, and political satire are likely to continue in the media, especially as audiences and comedians navigate evolving cultural sensitivities.

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Summary

Harry Enfield caused a brief stir on The One Show with a joke referencing Peter Mandelson, leaving hosts Roman Kemp and Alex Jones laughing awkwardly and moving on swiftly.

The comedian, known for pushing boundaries, has also defended past controversial sketches such as portraying Nelson Mandela in a satirical sketch, framing it as commentary on racial stereotyping in British television.

Fans were amused by the Mandelson quip, while critics continue to debate the balance between humor and sensitivity in modern comedy.