Comedy

A-Z

The A-Z of Jimmy Carr

As he prepares for the biggest shows of his career, we bring you an alphabetical guide to the life and times of Jimmy Carr


A is for Arenas

After two decades of working his way around the theatres of the UK, Europe, and beyond, Jimmy Carr is finally making the jump into arenas, with Laughs Funny touring throughout the year, but going supersized from November.

B is for Before & Laughter

Carr’s memoir and self-help book, released in 2021. If you’ve ever found yourself in a tough spot and wondered, “How would Jimmy Carr handle this?” then it’s probably one to add to your bookshelf.

C is for Controversial

No subject is off-limits with Jimmy Carr, which has occasionally gotten the comedian into trouble. The best jokes come with both a laugh and grimace.

10 Minutes of Jimmy's Riskiest Jokes | Volume.1 | Jimmy Carr

D is for Drunk History

Jimmy Carr acts as the narrator for the hilarious British run of the hit US show, which features comedians getting drunk and then trying to recount famous historical events.

E is Emo Phillips

The cult comedian is Carr’s self-admitted comedy hero, and it’s not hard to see how Phillips’ unique brand of surreal storytelling and lover of a one-liner has rubbed off on him.

F is for Fackham Hall

As well as being an all-conquering comedian, author and presenter, Jimmy Carr is also about to become a screenwriter. His debut, Fackham Hall, a spoof on British period dramas, is due out in 2025. It’s been described as being “in the tradition of classic joke-a-minute spoof comedies like The Naked Gun series and Airplane!

G is for Gilded Balloon

Jimmy Carr has been a fixture at the Edinburgh Festival throughout his career, but he really cut his teeth during a summer stint in the legendary Gilded Balloon venue, where he ran his first solo show, Bare Faced Ambition

H is for Hecklers

Only the bravest try to take on Jimmy Carr. His put-downs are instantaneous and unflinching. 

30 'Your Mum' Jokes | Jimmy Carr's Best Comebacks | Jimmy Carr

I is for I Literally Just Told You

A brainchild of Carr and Richard Bacon, this quiz show has been a huge hit in recent years. A general knowledge quiz on the surface, the show aims to expose just how poor most of our short term memories are by quite literally handing the answers to its contestants before testing them.

J is for Jokes

This one is probably self-explanatory.

K is for Katherine Ryan

The Canadian firebrand has been a frequent partner in crime to Jimmy Carr. They’ve sparred on many a panel show, hosted Roast Battle together for Comedy Central, and were most recently seen taking shots at each other’s plastic surgery on The Big Fat Quiz Of The Year.

Jimmy Carr & Katherine Ryan Roast Each Other | Round Up | Your Face Or Mine

L is for Laugh

Half a giggle, half a gasp for breath, Carr’s unique laugh has become a celebrity in its own right.

M is for Mental Health

Carr has shown his serious side on this topic, speaking openly about his battle with anxiety, as well as his commitment to helping with men’s mental health. 

N is for Netflix

In 2016, Jimmy Carr became the first British comedian to earn his own Netflix special, titled Funny Business.

One is for One-Liners

Plenty of British comedians are partial to a one-liner, but Carr’s are particularly famous – and can be particularly brutal.

P is for Panel Shows

Carr hosted the hit comedy panel show Eight Out Of Ten Cats for a whopping 22 series until it finished in 2021. He’s also hosted a full 27 series of the spin-off, Eight Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown.

Jimmy Carr Roasts EVERYONE | 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown | Channel 4

Q is Quizzes

Carr loves a quiz. QI,  A League Of Their Own, Through The Keyhole… he’s been a regular on all of them over the years. He’s also appeared on The Chase, Celebrity Squares, Tipping Point and many other celebrity specials, and won plenty of cash for charity along the way. During the festive season, Carr also hosts the annual Big Fat Quiz of the Year, quizzing celebrity panelists on the events of the last twelve months.

R is for Roast

Carr’s never one to shy away from delivering a withering putdown to a Hollywood legend. Over the years, he’s helped roast the likes of NFL legend Tom Brady, comedian Pete Davidson and actor Rob Lowe.

S is for Shell

In a parallel universe, Jimmy Carr is still working for oil giant, Shell. After graduating from the University of Cambridge, he worked as a marketing executive for the company before he went into comedy full-time. The face of British TV might have looked very different…

T is for Tut’n’Shive

Where it all began. Jimmy Carr’s first five minutes of stand-up was at an Islington pub, the Tut ‘n’ Shive, in December 1999. The pub has had several lives since then and is about to reopen as the Islington Arts Club. 

U is for USA

Carr spent many years building a career across the pond. He now tours there regularly as well as TV guest spots. 

V is for ‘Visiting Hours’

In 2021, Jimmy Carr added “backing singer” to his lengthy CV when he guested on Ed Sheeran’s ballad ‘Visiting Hours’. The appearance, where he sings alongside Kylie Minogue, came about through Carr’s friendship with songwriter and Snow Patrol guitarist, Johnny McDaid. 

Ed Sheeran - Visiting Hours [Official Performance Video]

W is for Work Ethic

Jimmy Carr is relentless. Despite being a fixture on the small screen, he tours constantly, and has too many multi-hyphenates to list.

X is for XFM

Carr, alongside The Inbetweeners creator Iain Morris, hosted the Sunday morning breakfast show on the much-missed alternative radio station. 

Y is for Your Face Or Mine

Carr teamed up with Katherine Ryan once again for this show where contestants are forced to choose who they think is the most attractive when presented with photos of two random individuals. It’s a brutal game, which Carr fully embraced.

Z is for Zoos

…He’s made a joke or two about zoos, right? Come on, we’ve done every other letter.


Jimmy Carr: Laughs Funny is on tour now. Find tickets here