Mock the Week is set to have its final series broadcast on BBC Two this autumn, after running for 17 years on the channel.

The long-running current affairs comedy panel show will end after 21 series and more than 200 episodes hosted by Irish comedian Dara O’Briain.

It first aired in June 2005, and over the years it has featured comedy stars including Chris Addison, Frankie Boyle, Rory Bremner and Russell Howard.

When asked about how he felt about Mock the Week ending Hugh Dennis, a regular panellist on the show, said: “Quite sad, although after 17 years you have to be proud of the fact that we have had such a long run.

The Argus: Hugh Dennis and Dara O'Briain (Credit: BBC/Angst/Steve Brown)Hugh Dennis and Dara O'Briain (Credit: BBC/Angst/Steve Brown) (Image: BBC/Angst/Steve Brown)

“It is very, very unusual that a show runs for that long. It was a very different show when it started.

“There were far more bits – there were various improv games, every panel member had to do stand-up, and there was a much longer “Scenes we would like to see” at the end, so I think I was rather daunted by the amount of stuff we all had to do and wondered whether it would work.

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“It became clear pretty fast that it did though, although I don’t think any of us would have predicted that it would still be going 17 years later.”

When will the final series of Mock the Week begin airing?

The first episode of the final series of Mock the Week will air on BBC Two at 10pm on Friday, September 23.

In total, the final series will have five episodes followed by two specials.