Mock the Week’s return is vital – but there’s a huge problem

As soon as I heard the news that Mock the Week was returning, I felt a tingle of nostalgic excitement.

Then I continued reading an article about it and saw something that immediately made me think the reboot is doomed to fail – it’s being aired on a relaunched version of TLC, which is a digital and Freeview channel known for reality TV screaming matches with shows like 90 Day Fiance and 1000-lb Sisters.

These shows are hardly top-tier political satire like Mock the Week is, so it feels completely out of place.

As a result, I believe it simply won’t cut through to a mainstream UK audience like it really, really needs to. Just like it did – and would – on the BBC.

For 17 years and almost 250 episodes, Mock the Week – hosted by Dara O’Briain – was full-throttle, no holds barred, sharp pol