Comedian Russell Howard announces he’s QUIT television after 19 years – despite having hit BBC and Sky shows

RUSSELL Howard has announced he's quitting television after 19 years on air despite having hit shows.

The comedian plans on sticking to his roots with live stand-up and turning his attention to podcasting.

Russell, 44, made his final appearance on the small screen back in August during an appearance on Channel 4's Big Fat Quiz of Telly.

Speaking about walking away from TV, Russell said: "I don't do TV anymore, I just do stand-up and my podcast."

The funnyman continued to tell the Have A Word podcast: "I had a pretty good run, I just prefer doing stand-up.

"I was all over the world and it was just fun."

Russell said "there's nothing else I'd rather do" than putting together an entire set and touring.

He added: "TV is fun but it's not as fun. Writing a book I couldn't do because I don't want to sit and entertain myself but doing stand-up is what I love doing.

"It's not entertainment for committee, it's your dictatorship...

"The audience are like this brilliant jury that let you know through laughter whether it works or not."

Russell previously fronted his Good News series for the BBC, which ran for 10 series between 2009 and 2015.

In 2017 he launched The Russell Howard Hour for Sky TV, which had six series and a Covid-themed spin-off filmed from his house.

Howard was also a series regular on the now-axed satirical panel show Mock of the Week with Dara Ó Briain.

He hosts two podcasts - Russell Howard’s Five Brilliant Things, and soccer-themed GoalLess.