For twenty years,Mock the Weekfearlessly skewered the powerful, dissecting the week’s news with biting wit. But even its most devoted fans were surprised by the latest comedic collision: a connection drawn between Sir Keir Starmer and the glamorous world ofStrictly Come Dancing.
The unexpected link emerged during a discussion about the recent resignation of Starmer’s Chief of Staff, Morgan McSweeney, following renewed scrutiny surrounding the appointment of Peter Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to the US. The panel, including Rhys James, Sara Pascoe, and Hugh Dennis, didn’t shy away from the political fallout.
Comedian Sara Pascoe sparked the laughter when she likened Starmer and McSweeney to a dance duo, suggesting McSweeney was the creative force behind the scenes. “You know McSweeney came up with the ideas, Keir Starmer was sort of putting it into action,” she observed.
The analogy took a delightfully absurd turn when Pascoe proposed they should have departed together, “like Tess and Claudia… that was the fairest way to do it.” Host Dara Ó Briain playfully pressed for clarification, to which Pascoe quickly clarified, “Not because of the Epstein files!”
The show’s history is rooted in fearless commentary, and last week’s episode delivered a particularly sharp focus on Prince Andrew and his connections to Jeffrey Epstein. The panel unleashed a barrage of jokes, turning a serious subject into darkly humorous observations.
One exchange involved a picture of Andrew behind the wheel of a car, prompting Angela Barnes to quip, “It’s a bit late for a getaway car,” followed by Lou Sanders’ pointed remark, “He usually drives a younger model, actually.”
Mock the Weekoriginally thrived on the BBC for seventeen years, offering a unique brand of political satire. After its conclusion in 2022, the show found a new home on TLC, becoming free-to-air in early 2026.
This move allows the show’s creators to explore topics with greater freedom, unshackled by the BBC’s previous requirements for “balance.” The revived series features extended, hour-long episodes, welcoming back familiar faces alongside fresh comedic talent.
