Diane Morgan: The Deadpan Threat to Bob Mortimer on Last One Laughing UK
The highly anticipated return of Last One Laughing UK (LOL) has captivated fans globally this week. This devilishly entertaining television series pits a group of comedians against each other in a battle to resist laughter, with the last person standing declared the winner. Hosted by referees Jimmy Carr and Roisin Conaty, the show ensures no sneaky sniggers go unchecked. The new season features a stellar lineup including David Mitchell, Diane Morgan, Romesh Ranganathan, Amy Gledhill, Maisie Adam, Mel Giedroyc, Alan Carr, Gbemisola Ikumelo, and Sam Campbell, all entering the LOL bunker. However, they face formidable competition from Bob Mortimer, the reigning champion from the 2025 edition, who has already proven his mettle. Yet, many speculate that Diane Morgan might be the one to challenge Mortimer's dominance and bring him down a peg or two.
Who Is Diane Morgan?
Diane Morgan, a 50-year-old actress and comedian hailing from Bolton, began her career in stand-up comedy before transitioning successfully to television. She first gained attention as part of the comedy duo Two Episodes Of Mash alongside Joe Wilkinson, with early appearances on shows like Phoenix Nights and the film Mr Right. In 2011, she featured in 12 episodes of Mount Pleasant, but her big break came in 2013 when she debuted on Charlie Brooker's Weekly Wipe as the character Philomena Cunk, a role that would define her career and cement her place in comedy history.
The Rise of Philomena Cunk
Philomena Cunk, created and portrayed by Diane Morgan, started as a supporting character on Weekly Wipe but quickly won over audiences with her deadpan delivery, dim-witted antics, and hilariously overblown remarks. The character's popularity led to several spin-off series, where Cunk investigates topics like Shakespeare, Christmas, Britain, and more. Notable quotes from Cunk include:
- "Money. People fight for it. Die for it. And put it in China pigs."
- "One in 20 people have been a victim of crime, which means that 19 out of 20 people are criminals. No wonder we need police."
- "When you store time on a clock, how do you get it back out again? Because when I was winding my watch up I accidentally put it forward, so I’d got two hours more in my clock. But then I put it back. Is it still in there? Is the time still in the clock?"
- "Charles Darwin was one of the most famous men of his age. Like Paddy McGuinness is now."
- "Shakespeare’s All’s Well That Ends Well was one of the first ever examples of the spoiler."
- "Why do we cry when it’s the onions that are getting hurt?"
Morgan describes Cunk as "an idiot" but notes that occasionally, the character's insights are so spot-on that they border on genius. She told the Radio Times, "The best thing about her is that she doesn’t care. Cunk is who I’d love to be if I had the balls." The Philomena Cunk franchise includes series like Cunk on Shakespeare (2016), Cunk on Britain (2018), Cunk & Other Humans on 2019 (2019), Cunk on Earth (2022–2023), and Cunk on Life (2024), with a special earning Morgan an Emmy nomination.
Diane Morgan's Broacting Career
Beyond her iconic role as Cunk, Diane Morgan has built a diverse portfolio in television and film. She has appeared in shows such as Utopia, Drunk History, Sky One's Rovers, and the sitcom Mount Pleasant. Notable series include Phoenix Nights (2002), Inside No. 9 (2022), The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin (2024), and Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (2024). Upcoming projects include the Marvel series VisionQuest alongside Paul Bettany and a role in Duncan Jones' animated movie Rogue Trooper. Additionally, Morgan created and stars in the series Mandy, which has run for four seasons from 2019 to the present, following the humorous misadventures of a slightly hapless woman.
Why Diane Morgan Could Defeat Bob Mortimer
According to our Deputy TV Editor, Tom Percival, Diane Morgan's deadpan delivery positions her as a significant threat to Bob Mortimer on Last One Laughing UK. Mortimer nearly cracked under pressure last season when facing Richard Ayoade, known for a similar straight-faced style. Percival believes that Morgan, with her Northern charm and silly sense of humour, could push Mortimer to his breaking point. Her ability to maintain composure during absurd interviews, as seen in her Cunk roles, has essentially been lifelong training for this competition. Mortimer's absurdist humour may prove ineffective against her unflappable demeanor, making her a top contender for the title.
The second season of Last One Laughing UK is now available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video, offering fans a chance to witness this comedic showdown unfold.
