"I was in the cemetery" Comedian Bob Mortimer wins Last One Laughing

Bob Mortimer took home the win in the UK edition of Last One Laughing on Amazon Prime Video, beating out nine of Britain's top comics in a tense, laugh-or-you’re-out battle hosted by Jimmy Carr.

After six hours of straight-faced chaos, it all came down to Mortimer and Richard Ayoade in a final showdown. Mortimer clinched victory with one perfectly timed, bizarre punchline:

“I was in the cemetery and I saw a bloke get up from behind a gravestone. ‘Morning,’ I said. ‘No – just having a s***.’”

That unexpected twist broke Ayoade’s composure and handed Mortimer the crown.

The show’s premise is simple but brutal: make others laugh without cracking yourself. With stars like Daisy May Cooper, Joe Lycett, and Rob Beckett trying every trick in the book, keeping a straight face isn’t easy. But Mortimer’s signature blend of oddball storytelling and deadpan delivery ultimately outlasted the rest.

How Bob Mortimer’s joke sealed the Last One Laughing win

The final confrontation between Mortimer and Ayoade on Last One Laughing resembled less of a comedy contest and more of a tactical battle. With time running out, both comedians found themselves in a must-win situation requiring completely different approaches.

Ayoade, known for his intellectual humor and deadpan delivery, quickly realized he had made a critical strategic error.

"What I now realise I'd done was essentially sign up to be in goal and just have someone take penalty after penalty after penalty," he reflected after his defeat.

The joke that broke Ayoade wasn't improvised – Mortimer pulled it from his published book of material. This preparation gap became evident as the showdown progressed.

"I had nothing and he was on a horse opposite me with a pocket full of material," Ayoade admitted, painting a vivid picture of his disadvantage.

When Mortimer delivered his cemetery punchline, Ayoade couldn't maintain his composure. The laughter that escaped secured Mortimer's victory in a moment that has since gone viral across social media platforms.

Last One Laughing originated in Japan before expanding worldwide with versions in Germany, Canada, Australia, and Ireland. The UK edition marks the latest international adaptation, with Jimmy Carr serving as host and referee.

The premise remains consistent across all versions: lock comedians in a room for six hours, forbid them from laughing, and watch the chaos unfold as they attempt to break each other's composure.

The British incarnation features an impressive roster of comedy talent, including Richard Ayoade (The IT Crowd), Daisy May Cooper (Am I Being Unreasonable?), Joe Lycett (Late Night Lycett), Harriet Kemsley, Lou Sanders, Joe Wilkinson, Rob Beckett, Sarah Pascoe, and Judi Love.

Celebrity guests Danny Dyer, Nick Mohammed, and Alison Hammond also make surprise appearances.

A unique element of the format is the "Joker Card" – a special power allowing contestants to perform for three minutes while everyone must watch attentively. Mortimer's use of this advantage becomes a turning point in the competition.

The aftermath of the big win

Following his triumph, Mortimer shared surprisingly heartfelt thoughts about the experience.

"It felt like when I was a lot younger and I lived in a shared house with people I really liked. I could have sat in there for a lot longer," he revealed, offering a glimpse into the camaraderie behind the competitive facade.

The comedian, who has battled health issues in recent years, added:

"I'm an old bloke, I don't see many people. I was so happy with the people who were in there with me - they were all superb."

Ayoade, meanwhile, processed his defeat with characteristic wit, comparing their showdown to a famous cinematic confrontation.

"I was very intense. It was like DeNiro and Pacini in Heat. I'd be DeNiro because DeNiro is gunned down in the end," he explained.

The defeated finalist showed gracious acceptance of the outcome, acknowledging:

"It would have been very strange for Bob not to win. It would be like watching a Rocky film and then the other person wins."

While the Last One Laughing format has existed internationally for years, the UK version has achieved unprecedented popularity. Several factors contributed to this breakthrough success.

The accessibility of English-language content certainly plays a role, eliminating the subtitle barrier that might limit viewership of Last One Laughing versions from Japan or Germany. However, the star power assembled for the British edition proved equally significant.

For longtime fans of British panel shows, the cast represents a dream team of comedic talent. Familiar faces from programs like Taskmaster, 8 Out of 10 Cats, and The IT Crowd create an immediate viewer connection.

Last One Laughing's format perfectly showcases British comedy's strength in improvisation and deadpan delivery. Moments like Danny Dyer's surprise appearance as Harry Potter confronting Rob Beckett demonstrate the unpredictable nature that keeps audiences engaged.

Mortimer's victory feels particularly fitting given his four-decade career in British comedy. From his partnership with Vic Reeves to appearances on panel shows and fishing programs, his ability to deliver the winning joke demonstrates the enduring power of traditional joke-telling in an era of complex comedy formats.

As fans clamor for a second season of Last One Laughing, Mortimer's cemetery quip will likely remain the benchmark that future contestants must surpass – proving that sometimes the simplest jokes deliver the biggest laughs.

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You can watch Last One Laughing on Amazon Prime Video in the U.S.