Dara Ó Briain gives savage response to Andrew Neil’s claim Mock the Week ‘deserved’ to be axed

Dara Ó Briain pulled no punches when responding to Andrew Neil after his suggestion that Mock the Week “deserved to be cancelled”.

It was announced earlier this week that the BBC was axing the panel show after 17 years, 21 series and more than 200 episodes, to “create room for new shows”.

While the news came as a disappointment to fans, broadcaster Neil appeared to think otherwise.

The 73-year-old posted a tweet, reading: “Mock the Week deserved to be cancelled,” linking to an article written byThe Spectator with the same title. Neil is the chairman of The Spectator.

The article argued that the programme was “well past its time” and that the “quality” of comedy on the show was “compromised” following the BBC’s decision in 2014 to no longer create all-male panel shows.

Ó Briain - who has hosted the show throughout its impressive run - reacted to Neil’s tweet with a response that has been praised by fans.

Taking to his own Twitter account, he shot back: “Still, at least I didn’t bail on it after two weeks and f*** off to my house in France, eh Andrew? All the best! X”

The Irish comedian’s tweet appears to reference Neil’s short tenure as chairman of GB News.

In June last year, Neil took some time off from the channel less than two weeks after it was launched. In September, he announced that he was resigning as the chairman and lead presenter of GB News.

The final eight episodes of Mock the Weekwill air on BBC Two this autumn.