Lee Mack
Lee Gordon McKillop (born 4 August 1968), known professionally as Lee Mack, is an English comedian, actor, writer, and television presenter.[1]
Mack first rose to prominence by winning the So You Think You're Funny competition at the 1995 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, which launched his stand-up career.[2] He subsequently developed a successful routine based on observational humour and quick-witted banter, performing multiple live tours and releasing stand-up specials such as Going Out Live in 2010.[3]
In television, Mack created, co-wrote, and stars as the titular character in the BBC sitcom Not Going Out, which debuted in 2006 and has run for 14 series as of 2025, making it one of the longest-running British sitcoms of the 21st century.[4] He also serves as a regular team captain on the BBC panel show Would I Lie to You?, contributing to its format of lie-detection games, and hosts the ITV quiz programme The 1% Club since 2022, where contestants tackle logic-based questions ascending in difficulty to win up to £100,000.[5][2]
Early life
Childhood and upbringing
Lee Gordon McKillop, known professionally as Lee Mack, was born on 4 August 1968 in Southport, Lancashire, England.[1] His parents worked as pub landlords, managing establishments in locations including Southport, Blackburn, and Rochdale, which meant the family frequently lived in the accommodations above these pubs during his early years.[6] This peripatetic lifestyle exposed him to a working-class environment centered around pub culture, with one notable childhood home being the flat above the Centurion pub in Blackburn.[7][8] Mack's parents were described by him as relaxed individuals with a penchant for performance; both participated in amateur dramatics and were regarded locally as humorous personalities.[9] His father, in particular, exhibited show-off tendencies, often captured in family photographs pulling faces or engaging in antics.[9] He has an older brother named Darren. The family dynamic appeared lighthearted, though Mack later reflected that the instability of frequent moves may have contributed to a resilience he credits in his comedic outlook.[10] When Mack was 12 years old, his parents separated, prompting him and his mother to relocate to Blackburn, while his brother remained with their father.[10][11] He has stated that the split did not profoundly disrupt him at the time, attributing this to his parents' amicable handling and ongoing involvement in his life, though he acknowledges that such family changes are common among comedians he knows.[10] This period marked a shift to a more settled, if modest, upbringing in Blackburn, where he attended local schools before leaving education at age 16.[10]Education and initial jobs
Mack left secondary school after failing his O-Levels.[12] At age 24, he returned to education and enrolled at Brunel University in London, where he studied television, drama, and film, earning a degree in the subject.[13] [1] In 2012, Brunel awarded him an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree, recognizing his early stand-up performances as a student there.[14] Following school, Mack's first job was as a stable lad for racehorse trainer Ginger McCain in Southport, where he mucked out stalls for the legendary Grand National winner Red Rum, unaware of the horse's fame at the time.[15] [16] He later worked as a Bluecoat entertainer at Pontins holiday camp in Morecambe for six months, during which his initial attempt at comedy led to dismissal after using profanity on stage.[17] Among other manual roles before pursuing comedy full-time, he picked apricots and worked as a plasterer.[17] [18] He also held positions in a bingo hall.[12]Comedy career
Stand-up origins and early recognition
Mack began performing stand-up comedy during his time as a Bluecoat entertainer at Pontins holiday resort in the early 1990s, where his debut set—delivered while intoxicated and featuring copied jokes and profanity—led to his dismissal from the role.[19][20] Influenced by 1980s alternative comedians such as Ben Elton, he transitioned to more structured efforts as a student at Brunel University, securing his first open mic slot in West London in 1994.[21][20] Early recognition arrived in 1995 when Mack won the "So You Think You're Funny" new act competition at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, a victory that marked his breakthrough and allowed him to pursue comedy full-time within 18 months.[21] He followed this with appearances in ensemble productions at the Fringe, including the 1996 show Gagging For It, and presented his first solo show, Return of the Mack, in 1997.[21] These performances established his reputation for rapid-fire observational humor on the UK circuit, building toward national tours by the early 2000s.[21]Touring and live performances
Mack's stand-up career originated on the UK comedy circuit, with his debut open mic performance occurring in 1994 while studying at Brunel University.[21] He gained early recognition by winning the So You Think You're Funny competition at the 1995 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, which propelled him into regular live appearances across pubs and clubs.[5] This foundation led to a 2004–2005 tour comprising 17 documented dates in UK theatres.[22] In 2006, Mack undertook a major UK tour, culminating in a filmed performance at London's Bloomsbury Theatre, released as his debut live DVD Lee Mack Live in 2007.[23] The tour earned a nomination for Best Live Stand Up at the British Comedy Awards. By 2010, he performed at the Royal Albert Hall and released the TV special Going Out Live, capturing high-energy banter from multiple venues.[2][3] Mack's Hit the Road Mack tour ran from 2013 to 2014, featuring dates such as multiple nights at Birmingham's Symphony Hall in September 2014 and Stoke-on-Trent's Regent Theatre on 7 September 2014.[24] Recorded over seven nights at the Hammersmith Apollo, it was released as a DVD in 2014 and broadcast on Channel 4 in 2017, emphasizing audience interaction and one-liners.[25][26] Following a period focused on television, Mack resumed touring in recent years, including sell-out shows with collaborators David Mitchell and Rob Brydon at major UK theatres.[2] His 2025 Lee Mack Live tour marked his first solo road show in over four years, with performances at venues including Glasgow's Theatre Royal (24–27 May) and Edinburgh Playhouse (23 May).[27][28] A compilation DVD set, The Live Collection (2015), bundles footage from Lee Mack Live, Hit the Road Mack, and Going Out Live.[29]Specials and DVD releases
Lee Mack's stand-up specials have been primarily disseminated through DVD releases, documenting key tours and live performances. His debut DVD, Lee Mack Live, was recorded during his 2006 tour at the Bloomsbury Theatre in London and released in 2007, featuring material on everyday absurdities and personal anecdotes delivered in his signature rapid-fire style.[30][31] Following a 2009-2010 tour, Mack released Going Out Live on DVD in November 2010, capturing a performance from the Hammersmith Apollo that emphasized propulsive storytelling and audience interaction, as noted by reviewers for its persuasive energy.[32][21] In 2014, Hit the Road Mack was issued on DVD on November 24, compiling highlights from his international touring show, with a runtime of approximately 80 minutes focused on observational humor about travel and family life.[33][21] These releases, along with bundled collections such as The Live Collection containing the first three specials, represent the core of Mack's commercially available stand-up output, with no subsequent individual DVD specials identified after 2014 despite ongoing tours.[29]Television and media career
Panel shows and hosting roles
Mack has been a team captain on the BBC One comedy panel show Would I Lie to You? since its premiere on 28 June 2007, appearing opposite David Mitchell under hosts Angus Deayton (2007) and Rob Brydon (from 2009).[34][35] In the format, team captains and rotating panellists share "this happened to me" stories, with opponents voting on their truthfulness based on clues and lies.[34] He has made over 200 appearances on the show as of 2024.[36] Mack has guested as host on episodes of Have I Got News for You and served as a guest presenter on Never Mind the Buzzcocks during its 2010–2012 revival.[37] He has also appeared as a panellist on QI across multiple series from 2009 to 2018.[37] In hosting roles, Mack fronted Duck Quacks Don't Echo on Sky One from 7 February 2014 to 2017, across six series and 41 episodes, where celebrity guests debated and tested the veracity of presented facts, such as scientific trivia or historical claims.[38][39] Since its debut on 9 April 2022, he has hosted The 1% Club on ITV, a logic-based quiz starting with 100 contestants answering progressively harder questions, with the final "1% question" offering a £100,000 prize; the show eschews trivia for intuitive reasoning.[40] In 2022, Mack co-hosted the single-season Freeze the Fear with Wim Hof on BBC One with Holly Willoughby, subjecting eight celebrities to sub-zero challenges and breathing exercises under the guidance of extreme athlete Wim Hof; the series premiered in April 2022 and was cancelled thereafter due to reported low viewer engagement.[41][42]Sitcom creation and acting
Lee Mack created the BBC One sitcom Not Going Out, which premiered on 6 October 2006.[4] Initially co-written with Andrew Collins, the series later incorporated contributions from writers including Daniel Peak, Paul Kerensa, and Simon Evans, with Mack credited as writer on over 80 episodes.[43] The show follows the daily blunders of its protagonist, a work-shy Londoner, as he contends with flatmates, family, and romantic pursuits in a traditional studio-audience format emphasizing verbal and physical gags.[44] Mack portrays the lead role of Lee, a semi-autobiographical slacker whose schemes often backfire, drawing on his stand-up experience for improvised timing and slapstick elements.[4] Co-starring actors such as Sally Bretton as Lucy, his long-suffering partner from series three onward, the program has sustained a core cast through multiple changes, including early roles by Megan Dodds and Tim Vine.[4] By 2025, Not Going Out had reached its 14th series, airing six episodes in June and July, with a 15th confirmed for 2026, establishing it as the second-longest-running British sitcom after Last of the Summer Wine.[45][46] Beyond creation and starring in Not Going Out, Mack has taken acting roles in other sitcoms, including appearances in the BBC Three series Semi-Detached (2012) and the mockumentary-style Murder, They Hope (2021–present). These roles typically leverage his comedic persona as a quick-witted everyman, though they remain secondary to his primary vehicle.Recent television projects and hosting success
Mack continued to host the ITV quiz programme The 1% Club, which premiered in April 2022 and tests contestants' logical reasoning through progressively difficult questions culminating in a £100,000 top prize.[48] The show has demonstrated strong viewership, securing two National Television Awards for its format and execution, and expanded to international broadcasts including simultaneous US and UK airings of special episodes.[48][2] Its success stems from Mack's quick-witted delivery and the programme's emphasis on percentile-based intelligence metrics rather than trivia recall, attracting a broad audience on Saturday nights.[49] In parallel, Mack starred in and co-wrote the 14th series of his BBC sitcom Not Going Out, which aired in 2025 after a timeline jump in the narrative to reflect contemporary settings.[50][51] The BBC commissioned a 15th series in May 2025, marking the programme's endurance since 2006 as one of the longest-running scripted comedies on British television, with Mack portraying a fictionalised lazy everyman alongside co-star Sally Bretton.[50][52] This renewal underscores the sitcom's consistent ratings performance and Mack's ability to sustain traditional multi-camera humour amid shifting industry preferences.[52] Mack maintained his role as a team captain on BBC's Would I Lie to You?, participating in series 18 episodes broadcast throughout 2025, where his improvisational style and anecdotal storytelling continued to contribute to the panel show's appeal.[5] These ongoing commitments highlight Mack's versatility in sustaining high-profile television presence through hosting formats that reward rapid comic timing and established series reliant on his established persona.[19]Other professional endeavors
Radio appearances and podcasts
Lee Mack hosted The Lee Mack Show on BBC Radio 2, which aired two series of six episodes each between 2005 and 2007, supplemented by a Christmas special and a New Year special.[53][54] The program combined stand-up routines, comedy sketches, and musical segments, often featuring guest musicians such as Toyah Willcox, Tony Hadley, and Suggs.[55][53] Mack has made guest appearances on various BBC radio programs, including Desert Island Discs on Radio 4 in 2014, where he discussed his career and selected favorite tracks, and Don't Make Me Laugh on Radio 4 in 2015.[56] He has also filled in as a guest host on Absolute Radio, delivering episodes that aired as podcasts.[57] In podcasts, Mack co-hosts I Can't Believe It's Not Buddha alongside Neil Webster, a series launched in 2020 that explores philosophical and comedic discussions on topics like mindfulness and skepticism, available on platforms including Apple Podcasts.[58] He has guested on shows such as Chatabix (three episodes between 2023 and 2024), RHLSTP with Richard Herring, My Time Capsule, and Walking The Dog with Emily Dean, where he made multiple appearances, including a third in January 2024.[59][60]Writing, production, and ancillary work
Mack is the creator and primary writer of the BBC sitcom Not Going Out, which he co-developed with Andrew Dillon and has written episodes for since its debut on October 6, 2006.[4] The series, centered on a lazy slacker navigating relationships and mishaps, features Mack in the lead role and has run for multiple seasons, with recent episodes co-written by Mack and Daniel Peak as of 2024.[61] He has also contributed sketches to Kelsey Grammer Presents: The Sketch Show in 2005.[62] In production capacities, Mack serves as executive producer on Not Going Out, overseeing its development and output through his affiliation with Avalon Entertainment, contributing to its status as one of the BBC's longest-running sitcoms with over 100 episodes produced by 2024.[2] The show's production involves director Nick Wood and producer Jamie Rix, with Mack's involvement ensuring alignment with his comedic vision rooted in observational humor and physical comedy.[61] Ancillary to his performance work, Mack authored the autobiography Mack the Life in 2012, a non-fiction account blending personal anecdotes from his upbringing in Southport to his comedy career, structured around imagined therapy sessions to explore motivations behind stand-up.[63] The book provides insights into the psychological drivers of comedians, drawing from Mack's experiences without relying on external ghostwriting, and received praise for its candid, humorous self-analysis.[64]Personal life
Family and relationships
Lee Mack has been married to Tara McKillop since 2005, after meeting her in 1996 while both were students at Brunel University.[65][66] The couple, who reside in East Molesey, Surrey, maintain a low public profile regarding their personal life, with Tara rarely appearing in media coverage of Mack's career.[67][68] Mack and Tara have three children: firstborn Arlo, followed by Louie and Millie.[1][69] He has described fatherhood as a rewarding experience but expressed regret over becoming a parent later in life at age 40, noting it limited the time he could spend actively engaging with his children during their early years.[70] Mack occasionally incorporates light-hearted anecdotes about family life into his comedy routines, such as joking about his children's antics, but avoids detailed disclosures to protect their privacy.[9][71]Health disclosures and personal habits
Lee Mack has publicly discussed his suspicion of having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), despite lacking a formal diagnosis. He described experiencing up to nine simultaneous "voices" or thoughts in his head, which he attributes to enhanced multitasking abilities beneficial for his comedy career, such as rapid joke formulation during panel shows like Would I Lie to You?.[72][73] Mack underwent partial psychiatric evaluation confirming ADHD-like traits, which he views as a "superpower" aiding hyperfocus on writing and quick-witted responses, rather than a deficit requiring treatment.[74][75] In terms of substance habits, Mack was a heavy social drinker for years, acknowledging in 2015 that, like much of the British public, he felt somewhat addicted to alcohol.[76] He ceased drinking entirely following his reading of Allen Carr's The Easy Way to Control Alcohol, which fundamentally altered his perception of alcohol's appeal, eliminating any desire for it.[77][78] Mack has remained sober since this shift, crediting the method's psychological reframing over willpower alone, and has recommended it publicly as a non-sanctimonious approach to sobriety.[79][80] Regarding physical health, Mack disclosed in June 2025 that chronic hip problems prevented his participation as a player in Soccer Aid for UNICEF, leading him to serve as a pundit instead.[81] No further details on treatment or underlying causes were specified in his update.[81]Public persona and controversies
Views on comedy, free speech, and cultural shifts
Lee Mack has expressed the view that, in principle, no subject matter should be off-limits for comedy, provided the punchline outweighs any potential shock value in humor. In an October 2023 interview, he stated, "In principle, there isn't anything that you can't do a joke about, nothing," emphasizing a "golden rule" that "the joke has to be funnier than it is shocking." He qualified this by noting practical constraints, observing that "the more shocking the subject matter the better the joke has to be," and that for extremely sensitive topics, "no one is good enough to think of a joke that is funnier than it is shocking." Mack has contrasted stand-up comedy, where audiences better grasp a comedian's intent, with television formats, where remote viewers may misinterpret without contextual understanding.[82] Regarding free speech and backlash, Mack has defended his work against calls for cancellation following jokes perceived as offensive. After presenting The 1% Club at the National Television Awards on September 6, 2023, where he made remarks about contestant Jill Scott involving a sex toy analogy, some online viewers demanded he be "cancelled." Mack responded on September 7, 2023, dismissing the outrage as stemming from "people who are watching who get offended, not the audience," and reiterated that his role as a comedian involves "tak[ing] the mickey out of the contestants" without pandering to overly sanitized expectations. He highlighted a perceived "herd mentality" among critics, arguing that live audiences tolerate edgier humor in intimate settings. This incident aligns with his broader critique of judging comedic intent retrospectively, lamenting that "intention seems to have gone out the window now" in favor of outcome-based offense.[83][82] On cultural shifts affecting comedy, Mack has attributed the decline of traditional British sitcoms to elitist influences from middle-class television commissioners and critics, whom he described in a December 2023 interview as "snobs" who undervalue "working-class art" forms like farce rooted in music hall traditions. He argued that successful comedy inherently "divides the room," yet contemporary standards favor niche appeal over broad accessibility, contributing to a drop from around 60 sitcom commissions in 1984 to none in 2023. While not explicitly tying this to political correctness, Mack's advocacy for unfiltered, intent-aware humor suggests resistance to trends prioritizing shock avoidance over punchline efficacy, positioning stand-up as a freer medium amid tightening broadcast norms.[84][82]Notable incidents, criticisms, and responses
In the early 1990s, prior to his first open mic performance in 1994, Mack was employed as a Blue Coat entertainer at Pontins holiday camp in Hemsby, Norfolk, where he was dismissed after delivering a drunken stand-up routine in which he insulted an audience member from Kent by calling them a "c***" upon forgetting his punchlines.[85] The incident resulted in his temporary transfer to another Pontins location in Morecambe as punishment, though it did not immediately lead him to quit alcohol, which he later attributed to reading Allen Carr's book rather than this event.[85] On the BBC panel show Would I Lie to You?, aired on 17 February 2023, Mack mimicked a stammer in response to host Rob Brydon stumbling over words, referencing the character's speech impediment from the sitcom Open All Hours.[86] The Stamma charity, which supports individuals who stammer—affecting approximately 1% of adults and 8% of children—condemned the segment as "thoughtless ridicule" and criticized the BBC for airing it without edits, arguing that such portrayals perpetuate stigma.[86] Neither Mack nor the BBC issued a public response to the complaint.[86] During his acceptance speech for The 1% Club at the National Television Awards on 5 September 2023, Mack quipped that the award trophy resembled a sex toy, stating, "To receive a sex toy like this off Jill Scott is an absolute pleasure," after the former England footballer presented it to him.[83] The remark prompted social media backlash, with "cancel Lee Mack" briefly trending on X (formerly Twitter), as some viewers labeled it offensive, unfunny, or a veiled criticism of Scott's appointment.[83] Mack defended the joke in an interview with The Sun, asserting that his role as a comedian is to "take the mickey" and noting that the live studio audience laughed, while dismissing home viewers' outrage as disproportionate compared to the tolerance expected in early stand-up environments.[83] On an episode of The 1% Club aired in April 2025, Mack remarked to contestant Dianne, who had disclosed wanting a nose job, that her nose "does look like, though, that if you took those glasses off, the nose might come off as well," after initially complimenting it as "fantastic."[87] Viewers criticized the comment on social media as "brutal," "insensitive," and potentially exacerbating the contestant's insecurities.[87] Mack paused the show to apologize, admitting the joke "was a bit harsh."[88]Legacy and reception
Achievements and industry impact
Lee Mack first gained recognition in the comedy industry by winning the So You Think You're Funny competition at the 1995 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, marking an early breakthrough for the then-22-year-old performer from Liverpool.[5][89] Five years later, in 2000, he received a nomination for the Perrier Award (now Edinburgh Comedy Award) for his sketch show, which featured Catherine Tate and highlighted his improvisational skills.[2] These early accolades established Mack as a rising talent in stand-up and sketch comedy, emphasizing his quick-witted, working-class observational style rooted in everyday absurdities. Mack's television achievements include co-creating, writing, and starring in the sitcom Not Going Out, which premiered on BBC One in 2006 and reached its 100th episode by Christmas 2023, securing its status as the second-longest-running British sitcom after Last of the Summer Wine.[90][91] He also contributed to The Sketch Show on ITV, which won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Comedy Programme or Series in 2002.[92] As a team captain on the panel show Would I Lie to You? since its debut in 2007, Mack has been a fixture alongside David Mitchell, contributing to the program's enduring popularity through improvised banter and lie-detection challenges.[93] Additional honors include the Best Male TV Comic award at the 2012 British Comedy Awards and a 2023 BAFTA TV Award nomination for hosting The 1% Club.[94][95] In terms of industry impact, Mack has helped sustain traditional sitcom and panel show formats amid shifting preferences toward prestige dramas and alternative comedy, often critiquing "middle-class commissioners" for undervaluing broad-appeal humor.[90] His emphasis on rapid-pace scripting and unpretentious observational comedy has influenced British television by prioritizing punchline density over visual gimmicks or social commentary, as seen in Not Going Out's multi-camera style revival.[20][96] Mack's longevity—spanning stand-up tours, radio contributions, and authorship—has reinforced the viability of self-deprecating, regionally flavored humor in a landscape dominated by urban-centric narratives, contributing to the persistence of accessible comedy for mass audiences.[97]Critical assessments and public perception
Lee Mack's stand-up comedy has received praise for its high-energy delivery and gag density, with reviewers noting his "irresistible" style and professional execution during tours like Hit the Road Mack in 2014, where he performed six nights at Manchester Apollo to strong audience response.[98][99] Critics have described his act as "gloriously daft" and reminiscent of classic foolery, emphasizing meticulous timing without modern introspective elements, as seen in a 2014 Guardian review of his Apollo performance.[100] However, some assessments highlight a reliance on traditional, observational humor that subverts but does not transcend old-school tropes, potentially limiting appeal among audiences seeking edgier or conceptual comedy.[99] His sitcom Not Going Out, which reached its 100th episode in 2023, has faced criticism for feeling "dated" and formulaic, with reviewers labeling it as emblematic of a declining studio sitcom format dominated by middle-class preferences over broad appeal.[101][84] Mack has countered such views by arguing that snobbery from TV executives and critics undermines working-class oriented comedy traditions, positioning the show as a rare survivor in a landscape favoring prestige formats.[84] Despite this, recent series reviews in 2025 have acclaimed Mack as potentially "the funniest man on TV," crediting his chaotic improvisation and relatability for sustaining viewer loyalty over 14 seasons.[102] Public perception portrays Mack as a chaotic yet quick-witted everyman, particularly on panel shows like Would I Lie to You?, where fans value his impulsive derailing and refusal to follow scripts, though detractors on platforms like Reddit criticize it as disruptive or overly aggressive.[103] His comments on gender dynamics in comedy—suggesting in 2013 that women face inherent challenges—drew backlash from outlets like the Daily Express, framing him as out of step with progressive norms, yet he maintains strong popularity among audiences favoring unfiltered humor.[104] Incidents such as a 2025 joke on The 1% Club about a contestant's appearance sparked online criticism for insensitivity, underscoring a divide between his working-class authenticity and expectations of polished sensitivity.[105] Overall, Mack enjoys robust fan support for embodying accessible, class-rooted comedy, contrasting with cooler critical reception that often prioritizes innovation over mass entertainment.[106][107]Awards and nominations
Lee Mack has received several nominations and wins primarily in British television comedy awards, reflecting recognition for his work in panel shows, sitcom writing, and stand-up.[5]| Year | Award | Category | Result | For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Edinburgh Comedy Awards (Perrier Award) | Main Prize | Nomination | Sketch comedy show Lee Mack's Bits[108] |
| 2001 | British Comedy Awards | Best Comedy Newcomer | Nomination | The Sketch Show[95] |
| 2007 | Royal Television Society Programme Awards | Breakthrough Award – Behind the Screen | Win (shared with Andrew Collins) | Writing for Not Going Out[109][110] |
| 2023 | BAFTA Television Awards | Best Entertainment Performance | Nomination | The 1% Club[111] |
| 2024 | BAFTA Television Awards | Best Entertainment Performance | Nomination | Panel show performance (unspecified, agency confirmation)[2] |
| 2025 | BAFTA Television Awards | Best Entertainment Performance | Nomination | The 1% Club and Would I Lie to You? (dual nomination in category)[112] |