Late Night Mash: who is host Rachel Parris, why did Nish Kumar leave, and who are guest comedians?

Love it or hate it, The Mash Report was a big hit with its fans when it first aired in 2017.

The once-BBC comedy show made household names out of comic Nish Kumar and Rachel Parris.

However, after the show was cancelled in 2020 by the BBC, comedy channel Dave picked the series up.

Now revamped as ‘Late Night Mash’, the show still features many of the key element of the original series.

With the second series airing on Dave, here’s everything you need to know about what has changed and what to expect from the show.

Who is host Rachel Parris?

Once a comical correspondent for the show, Rachel Parris is taking over hosting duties for series two after Nish Kumar made the decision to leave.

Parris is known to fans of the show already for her dry witted links to the studio, as well as her harsh but hilarious political commentary.

Outside of the Mash world, Parris has had appearances on QI, Would I Lie To You and Mock The Week. She has also acted in shows such as The IT Crowd, Plebs and Count Arthur Strong.

Parris is also an established improv comic, having performed with award-winning group Austentatious at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and on a UK Tour to wide acclaim.

She is married to fellow comedian Marcus Bridgestock, with the couple tying the knot in 2019. They have one child together.

Speaking about taking over the hosting slot on the show, she said: “I’m very excited and honoured to be taking the helm of Late Night Mash, a show I would honestly describe as ‘funny’.

“I’m excited partly because of the significance of being a female host on a satirical show on British TV, and partly because after five years, it’ll be nice to have a sit down. I’ll really miss working with my good friend Nish and giving him words of encouragement. I think he did really well and it will stand him in good stead to start his comedy career. Mash, like a proverbial rash, keeps coming back just when you think we’re gone, and I’m proud to represent that irritation. Mash forever!”

Why did Nish Kumar leave Late Night Mash?

Nish Kumar was the regular host of The Mash Report and later Late Night Mash.

However, he decided to leave the show only one series after it moved to Dave under the new name.

Nish explained his decision to do so to Metro, saying: “In my head, it felt like a logical point.

“I’ve done it for five years and I was really thrilled that the show went to Dave – it felt like a really good home for the show and the channel was very supportive of the show.”

The comic said that it “felt like a good moment for me to try something different”, adding “there really isn’t a show like it on British TV.”

Who are the guest comedians on series two of Late Night Mash?

Anyone familiar with the show will know that it is littered with some of the funniest and most up-and-comng comedians around.

Series two of Late Night Mash will be no different, as some familiar faces prepare to go alongside Parris.

Steve N Allen, Ellie Taylor and Geoff Norcott are all expected to return to the show as regular contributors.

When is Late Night Mash on?

Late Night Mash is due to premiere at 10pm on Thursday 1 September on Dave.

The show will be available to watch on-demand on the UKTV Play platform after it airs on tv.