
Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2025: Airdate, Panelists, How to Watch
There’s something reliably comforting about settling in on Boxing Day for a few hours of Jimmy Carr asking celebrities to remember things that happened in the past twelve months, and the Big Fat Quiz of the Year has become an annual ritual for comedy fans. If you’re trying to plan your viewing, here’s everything we know so far about the airdate, panelists, and where to catch the show.
Airdate: 26 December 2025 · Host: Jimmy Carr · Panelists: 6 comedians · Duration: 92 minutes · Recorded: 9 December 2025 · Network: Channel 4
Quick snapshot
- Annual British comedy quiz on Channel 4 (British Comedy Guide)
- Hosted by Jimmy Carr (British Comedy Guide)
- Airs on Boxing Day (26 December) (British Comedy Guide)
- Channel 4 (UK) (British Comedy Guide)
- SBS On Demand (Australia) (British Comedy Guide)
- Not on Netflix (British Comedy Guide)
- Recorded 9 December 2025 at Television Centre (British Comedy Guide)
- Aired 26 December 2025 (British Comedy Guide)
- Duration 92 minutes (British Comedy Guide)
The confirmed details for the 2025 special break down into a handful of essential facts. Here’s the quick-reference table.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Show | The Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2025 |
| Host | Jimmy Carr (British Comedy Guide) |
| Panelists | Jonathan Ross, Richard Ayoade, Katherine Ryan, Nick Mohammed, Roisin Conaty, Lou Sanders (YouTube) |
| Airdate | 26 December 2025 |
| Recorded | 9 December 2025 |
| Duration | 92 minutes |
| Network | Channel 4 (British Comedy Guide) |
| International | SBS On Demand (Australia) |
Is there a Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2025?
Official confirmation
- The 2025 edition was recorded on 9 December 2025 and aired on 26 December 2025 on Channel 4 (British Comedy Guide).
- Channel 4’s long-running annual special continues its Boxing Day tradition without interruption (British Comedy Guide episode guide).
What is the Big Fat Quiz?
- The Big Fat Quiz of the Year is a topical panel show where comedians answer questions about the biggest events of the past twelve months (British Comedy Guide).
- It first aired in 2004 and has since become an annual fixture on Channel 4’s Christmas schedule.
The implication: regular viewers can mark their calendars for 26 December without worrying about cancellation.
When is the Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2025 airing?
Boxing Day tradition
- The show airs on 26 December 2025, also known as Boxing Day in the UK (British Comedy Guide).
- The exact time slot has not been officially confirmed by Channel 4, but previous editions have typically broadcast at 9pm.
Recording date
- The special was recorded on 9 December 2025 at the BBC’s Television Centre in London, a venue used for many UK comedy panel shows (British Comedy Guide).
- Pre-recording several weeks before airing is standard practice for the series.
The pre-recording date means the jokes are already locked in. For the panel that means a sharper, more rehearsed performance—and for the audience at home, a polished final cut that typically runs 92 minutes.
The pattern: a pre-recorded special allows Channel 4 to deliver a tightly edited Boxing Day treat.
Who is in the Big Fat Quiz 2025?
Full list of panelists
- Jonathan Ross, the veteran chat show host, returns to a Big Fat Quiz panel (YouTube).
- Richard Ayoade, known for his deadpan style, is a recurring favourite.
- Katherine Ryan, the Canadian comedian with a sharp tongue, brings her regular wit.
- Nick Mohammed, star of Ted Lasso, offers a more competitive energy—viewers on Reddit have praised his quick recall (YouTube).
- Roisin Conaty and Lou Sanders round out the six participants, providing a mix of established and newer comedy voices.
Team pairings
- The traditional format splits the six panelists into three teams of two, with pairings generally revealed on the night.
- Based on past editions, rivalries and chemistry between specific pairings often drive the banter.
What this means: the dynamic between Mohammed’s intensity and the veterans’ ease could produce memorable television.
Where can I watch the Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2025?
Channel 4
- In the UK, the show airs live (or as-live) on Channel 4, which is available via Freeview, Sky, Virgin Media, and Freesat (British Comedy Guide episode guide).
- Catch-up will be available on Channel 4’s streaming platform, All 4, shortly after broadcast.
SBS On Demand
- Australian viewers can stream the show free on SBS On Demand, as part of a long-standing relationship between SBS and Channel 4 comedy programming.
Other streaming options
- There is no confirmed availability on Netflix for the 2025 edition.
- VPN users may be able to access Channel 4 or SBS On Demand from other regions, subject to platform terms.
- YouTube often hosts short clips after broadcast, but full episodes are rarely uploaded officially.
Outside the UK and Australia, legitimate streaming options are limited. Fans in the US or Canada will likely wait for a delayed digital release or rely on VPN access, which violates some platform terms.
The implication: for the easiest access, UK and Australian viewers have clear paths; everyone else faces hurdles.
Is the Big Fat Quiz of the Year on Netflix?
Netflix availability
- The Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2025 is not currently listed on Netflix in any region.
- Past editions have occasionally appeared on Netflix in certain markets, but the 2025 special has no announced deal.
Alternative platforms
- Channel 4’s All 4 is the primary UK streaming destination.
- Australia’s SBS On Demand offers a free, legal alternative.
The catch: without a streaming deal, Netflix subscribers will need to switch to a different platform.
Timeline signal
- 9 December 2025 — Recording at Television Centre, London (British Comedy Guide)
- 26 December 2025 — Aired on Channel 4 (Boxing Day, 9pm tentative)
- 9 January 2026 — The Big Fat Quiz of Telly airs on Channel 4
The pattern is clear: the Quiz serves as a Christmas anchor, with a follow-up special in early January for television-centric questions.
Confirmed facts vs. what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Airdate 26 December 2025 (British Comedy Guide)
- Panelists include Ross, Ayoade, Ryan, Mohammed, Conaty, Sanders (YouTube)
- Host is Jimmy Carr (British Comedy Guide)
- Recorded 9 December 2025 (British Comedy Guide)
What’s unclear
- Exact air time on Channel 4
- Future streaming availability on platforms beyond All 4 and SBS
- Panel for the 2026 edition
- Whether the full episode will be uploaded to YouTube
- Exact duration (reported 92 minutes but not officially confirmed)
Nick is sharp as a tack. He takes the quiz way more seriously than the others, and it makes for great TV.
— Reddit user on r/panelshow
The Big Fat Quiz of the Year continues to bring together some of the biggest names in British comedy for a festive laugh.
— Channel 4 press release (via British Comedy Guide)
For UK fans planning their Boxing Day schedule, the Big Fat Quiz remains a reliable, pre-recorded treat that needs no live viewing commitment. Australian viewers get a free pass on SBS. But for everyone else? The option is limited. The implication: if you want to watch with the crowd, set your alarms for Channel 4 or SBS On Demand—or prepare to wait for a delayed digital release that may never come.
Frequently asked questions
Do the panelists change each year?
Yes, the lineup rotates annually, though some comedians like Richard Ayoade and Jonathan Ross appear frequently.
What is the Big Fat Quiz of Everything?
A companion special that covers topics not tied to a specific year, often released later in the year.
How many series of Big Fat Quiz are there?
It’s an annual special rather than a series—each year a standalone edition, plus occasional spin-offs like The Big Fat Quiz of the 80s.
Can I watch the Big Fat Quiz on YouTube?
Clips are often uploaded after broadcast, but full episodes rarely appear legally.
What other Big Fat Quiz specials are there?
Past years have included decade-specific quizzes and a “Quiz of the Year” for television.
Where was the 2025 special recorded?
At Television Centre in London (British Comedy Guide).
Is the Big Fat Quiz suitable for all ages?
Rated for mature audiences (15+) due to adult humour and language.
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