British comedian announces he's quitting TV after almost two decades in the industry

Television can be a gruelling industry to work in, so it's no wonder that after 19 years on the small screen, comedian Russell Howard has decided to hang up his hat.

On an episode of the Have A Word podcast, Howard shared that he is quitting TV to instead focus on other ventures.

"I don't do TV anymore," the British comedian told podcast hosts Adam Rowe and Dan Nightingale.

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British comedian Russell Howard announces he is no longer working in TV. (Getty)

He went on to explain that these days, he's putting all of his energy into his live stand-up shows and his two podcasts, Russell Howard's Five Brilliant Things and GoalLess.

"I had a pretty good run, I just prefer doing stand-up," Howard added.

"I was all of the world, and it was just fun."

He didn't deny that "TV is also fun", explaining it's just not quite as good travelling the world as a comic.

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Howard added that he considered writing a book instead but "couldn't do that because I don't want to sit and entertain myself".

"Doing stand up is what I love doing," he said.

The comedian has released several stand-up specials over the years, with his upcoming self funded special Russell Howard Live At The London Palladium set to be on streaming in just a matter of days.

For the past 19 years, the 44-year-old has been working in television, best known for his show Russell Howard's Good News as well as regular appearances on the comedy panel show Mock the Week.

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Howard will instead be focusing on his stand-up comedy and his two podcasts. (Getty)

With his last appearance on the small screen being in August 2024 on the Big Fat Quiz of Telly, Howard said one of the main reasons he's made the decision to return to stand-up comedy is the autonomy and control he has over his own work.

"It's not entertainment for committee, it's your dictatorship," he explained.

"The audience are like this brilliant jury that let you know through laughter whether it works or not."

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