Top 10 UK Double Acts

When it comes to good old British morning television, “This Morning” is the place to be. Richard and Judy were big players in morning television and were much loved presenters of the show, but it’s Holly and Phil that make it onto our list. Their friendship and on camera antics cause them to go viral on almost a monthly basis. Whether it’s them turning up drunk the morning after the National Television Awards, or Philip Schofield arguing with a guest, or one of their laughing fits, the British public have grown to adore them.

A true hero and his sidekick duo, Pegg and Frost were friends before their rise to prominence and they began to make a name for themselves in Channel 4 sitcom “Spaced”, where Pegg wrote a character specifically with Frost in mind. “Spaced” was also directed by Edgar Wright, who continued to work with them and create the films that turned them into the famous film double act they are today. With Edgar Wright they created the Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy, which included “Shaun of the Dead”, “Hot Fuzz” and “The World’s End”. The trilogy proved very successful and made Pegg and Frost household names.

In 2003, “Little Britain” hit our screens and was an instant hit. Originally a radio show, written by Lucas and Walliams, it was moved to television and turned into a sketch show. As a spoof of some of the more embarrassing parts of British life, it resonated with viewers all over the UK. Characters such as chavvy Vicky Pollard, Fat Fighters leader Marjorie Dawes and many more gave the show its numerous memorable quotes and catchphrases. Sadly, Lucas and Walliams have since gone their separate ways and continued successful solo careers. But their hilarious take on British society will always stick with us.

Mel and Sue have been working together as a duo since the 90s, but it wasn’t until they started hosting “The Great British Bake Off” in 2010 that they really became household names. They walked into the hearts of the nation, one baking pun at a time. And we would all be lying if we said we weren’t jealous of the amount of delicious baked goods they get paid to consume. Sadly, when “The Great British Bake Off” moved to Channel 4 in 2017, they didn't go with it. But their 6 years of “Bake Off” has earned them their rightful place on our list.

After meeting at university, Rik and Ade formed a close friendship and – starting with “The Young Ones”, they brought their unique blend of anarchic comedy to British television. It was “Bottom” however that really cemented their place on this list as one of the UK’s top double acts. The show’s violent slapstick comedy and dark humour lasted three series, a touring stage show and a spin off feature film. Their partnership dwindled aftewards however, and sadly, plans to bring it back in 2013 were cancelled. But the show is forever memorialised on British television with constant reruns, and Rik himself is memorialised on a blue plaque on the bench from the “Bottom” intro in Hammersmith, London.

Their comedy sketch show “French and Saunders” ran for 7 seasons over 20 years and was given a huge budget by the BBC. In it, they created spoofs of popular culture at the time, whether it be films, music or television, nothing was safe from their mocking. While creating “French and Saunders”, they both had their own successful solo careers. Most notably, Dawn French in “The Vicar of Dibley” and Jennifer Saunders in “Absolutely Fabulous”. Although they haven’t worked closely together since 2007, we hope that a reunion is on the cards soon.

Ever since their days on “Byker Grove”, the British public haven’t been able to get enough of Ant and Dec. They started as actors and even had a music career as their “Byker Grove” characters, PJ and Duncan. But it was presenting that really threw Ant and Dec into the limelight. They started off presenting children’s Saturday morning show, “SM:TV Live” and seemed to find their calling in it. Since then, they have dominated Saturday night television. Their cheeky antics on “Saturday Night Takeaway” and “I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here” and their perfect representation of all our reactions on “Britain’s Got Talent” is what makes the British public keep coming back for more.

The oldest double act on our list, Morecambe and Wise are one of the most iconic duos in British television. They started working together in 1941 but their success really began when they moved to television and to the BBC in 1968. While at the BBC they met writing heavyweights Hills and Green, and “The Morecambe & Wise Show” was born. As one of Britain’s earliest television double acts, Morecambe and Wise have been a huge influence on future double acts and have proved themselves to be British comedy legends.

Known more these days for their individual projects, in the 80s and 90s they were one of the most iconic double acts. They became well known off the back of their sketch show, “A Bit of Fry and Laurie”. They also starred in comedy drama “Jeeves and Wooster” and appeared in other classic British comedy’s including “Blackadder” and “The Young Ones”. Since the 90s they have reunited occasionally and are said to be working on something new together. They have both continued to have hugely successful careers, but it’s their time as a comedy double act that earned them their place on our list.

Honourable Mentions

Before we reveal our number one UK double act, here are some honourable mentions that didn’t make the list.

Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse

Reeves and Mortimer

The Chuckle Brothers

After taking the stage during some technical issues at an awards show, Barker and Corbett were talent spotted and given their own BBC television show, “The Two Ronnies”, which catapulted them to stardom. While primarily a sketch show, it included serial stories that progressed in each episode throughout the series and musical numbers. It became one of Britain’s most popular entertainment shows and was aired at prime time on a Saturday night. Their memorable sketches and classic British humour has earned them their rightful place at the top of our list.