The beloved comedy panel show Mock the Week has triumphantly returned to television screens, immediately diving into one of the year's most talked-about celebrity dramas. In its highly anticipated comeback episode, the show's comedians delivered a ruthless and hilarious takedown of the very public Beckham family feud, proving that the programme's signature sharp wit remains as potent as ever.
A New Home and a Fresh Start
After a three-year hiatus following its cancellation by the BBC, which left both viewers and its stars devastated, Mock the Week is back with a brand-new nine-episode series. The show now airs on TLC, marking a significant shift in its broadcasting home. Host Dara Ó Briain returns to helm the chaos, leading a panel of comedy favourites and new regulars through sixty minutes of fast-paced satire.
Brooklyn's Bombshell Provides Perfect Material
The show's writers and performers found rich material in the recent very public family dispute involving Brooklyn Beckham and his parents, Sir David and Victoria Beckham. Earlier this month, Brooklyn posted a lengthy statement on Instagram, accusing his famous parents of being controlling during his youth and showing disrespect towards his wife, actress Nicola Peltz. He stated defiantly that he did not wish to reconcile, a declaration that has fuelled endless media speculation and, now, top-tier comedy.
The Comedians Weigh In
The first episode of this new era featured a stellar line-up including Ahir Shah, Angela Barnes, Ed Byrne, Russell Howard, Sara Pascoe, and new regular panellist Rhys James. They wasted no time in dissecting the saga's most bizarre details.
Russell Howard led the charge on one of the more unusual allegations: that Victoria Beckham danced inappropriately at Brooklyn's wedding. 'The big thing that’s come out is that, apparently, his mum was dancing inappropriately at his wedding, which is not shock news for a mum to dance inappropriately at her son’s wedding,' Howard quipped, before sharing an anecdote about his own mother's wedding antics. 'At my wedding, my mum was grinding up against Greg Davies for an hour. It was like a bear against a tree.'
Sara Pascoe agreed with the premise, joking about maternal prerogatives at weddings. 'My mum wore a white dress to my sister’s wedding. And then when anyone asked why, she was like, “I paid for it; it’s my day”.'
Poking Fun at Poses and Publicity
Ed Byrne turned his attention to Victoria Beckham's famously rigid public posture, humorously comparing the fashion icon to a collapsible toy. 'You press the button, and it collapses,' he joked, mimicking her signature arched-back stance.
Rhys James then highlighted the surreal nature of the story's dissemination, noting that club DJ Fat Tony had become an unlikely source of truth. 'My favourite part of this whole story is that the person that went on the news to sort of expose what the truth is was DJ Fat Tony… that can’t be the arbiter of truth in a national news story.' He then delivered a killer punchline referencing Victoria's Spice Girls past: 'I think it’s great because, for years, we’ve wondered what “zigazig-ah” means. And now we know it’s “give a lap dance to your firstborn”.'
The panel didn't spare David Beckham either. Angela Barnes joked about Brooklyn's lengthy Instagram statement, saying, 'I read it, and I just thought, “I’m really pleased David Beckham can’t read”.'
A Feud That Keeps on Giving
The Beckham family rift has dominated headlines and social media since Brooklyn broke his silence, with even his ex-girlfriends and former coaches offering their perspectives. While David and Victoria have not publicly addressed their son's claims directly, they have posted nostalgic childhood photos and maintained a united front with their other children—Cruz, Romeo, and Harper—at events like Paris Fashion Week.
Speculation continues to swirl that Brooklyn may have been offered a lucrative book deal to tell his side of the story more fully. Although the alleged wedding dance footage is said to be under lock and key, the saga promises to provide comedy gold for Mock the Week for the foreseeable future.
Dara Ó Briain on the Show's Evolution
Ahead of the revival, host Dara Ó Briain reflected on the show's journey and its new chapter. Having fronted the programme for 17 years before its BBC axe, he expressed his clear delight at its return. 'We’re not all 25 anymore, or whatever age we were when we started. We’re not all young men, six men out of the clubs. It’s a whole different thing,' he noted, describing modern comedy as more collaborative. 'The whole thing feels a lot less elbows out.'
Ó Briain admitted there was little hesitation when asked to return. 'I felt that I should give it a moment’s thought, but it was grand.' His enthusiasm is shared by longtime fans, who can now enjoy the show's unique blend of topical satire and improvisational chaos in its new extended format on a new channel.
Mock the Week airs on Sundays at 9pm on TLC, marking a vibrant and sharply funny return to form for one of British television's most iconic comedy institutions.
