Exciting Hosts Announced for the Final Episodes of Saturday Night Live UK
Saturday Night Live UK is set to wrap up its first series with a lineup of exciting hosts. The show, which has been airing live from London at 10pm on Saturdays on Sky and NOW, will conclude with two final episodes featuring some of the biggest names in entertainment.
Hannah Waddingham and Ncuti Gatwa have been confirmed as the hosts for these closing episodes. Hannah, a BAFTA and Emmy Award-winning actress, is no stranger to the spotlight. She recently returned to screens in the fourth series of Ted Lasso and will be joined by singer-songwriter Myles Smith for the penultimate episode. Following this, Ncuti Gatwa, known for his roles in Doctor Who and Sex Education, will take the stage on May 16 alongside indie-pop singer Holly Humberstone.
The week before, on May 2, actress Aimee Lou Wood will host the episode, accompanied by singer-songwriter and record producer MNEK. These episodes have already featured a range of notable guests, including Tina Fey, Jamie Dornan, Jack Whitehall, and Nicola Coughlan. Artists such as Wet Leg, Wolf Alice, Kasabian, Jorja Smith, and Foo Fighters have also taken the stage, adding to the show’s vibrant atmosphere.
The cast of the UK version includes Hammed Animashaun, Ayoade Bamgboye, Larry Dean, Celeste Dring, George Fouracres, Ania Magliano, Annabel Marlow, Al Nash, Jack Shep, Emma Sidi, and Paddy Young. Despite initial doubts about the show’s longevity, fans have embraced it enthusiastically.
Earlier this year, bookmakers predicted that SNL UK had 1-2 odds of being scrapped before the first series even aired. Coral’s John Hill stated, “We are not optimistic about Saturday Night Live UK lasting very long. We make it odds-on to be scrapped after just one series.” However, the show has managed to capture the attention of audiences, with many taking to X (formerly Twitter) to express their excitement.
One fan wrote, “UK SNL? FINALLY.” Another commented, “I genuinely think SNL UK has the potential to actually be way better than the yank version,” while a third added, “Wait SNL UK sounds fire.”
A New Era for Sketch Comedy in the UK
Saturday Night Live, created by Lorne Michaels, is an American late-night sketch show that has aired on NBC since 1975. It has produced over 1,000 episodes across 51 seasons in the US before Sky and NOW launched the UK version of the series.
In a recent episode, SNL UK took a humorous look at Kanye West’s ban from the UK. The rapper, who goes by the name Ye, had his visa application cancelled by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood in early April. The decision was made on the grounds that his presence would not be conducive to the public good.
Sir Keir Starmer expressed his support for the decision, stating that Ye “should never have been invited to headline Wireless” and that he “stands firmly with the Jewish community” against anti-Semitism. As a result, the organizers of Wireless announced that this year’s festival has been cancelled.
SNL UK producers quickly turned the situation into a comedic moment, creating a humorous video on social media to promote a new episode. In the clip, host Jack Whitehall could be seen looking at a corkboard filled with cards tracking each week’s hosts and musical guest. He spotted Ye on the board as both the presenter and performer before swiftly removing both cards.
Saturday Night Live UK is available to stream live on Sky and streaming service NOW from 10pm on Saturday. With its mix of comedy, music, and celebrity appearances, the show continues to provide a fresh take on late-night entertainment in the UK.
