Rhys James

Rhys James (born 30 April 1991) is a British stand-up comedian. James has appeared on Mock the Week and Live at the Apollo.

Personal life

James studied for a politics and international relations degree at Manchester University, starting his stand-up career in 2010 whilst still a student. He supports Tottenham Hotspur football club.

Career James has appeared on Mock the Week, becoming a regular panelist upon the show's revival in 2026, Russell Howard's Stand Up Central, @elevenish, Virtually Famous and Sweat the Small Stuff. In 2010 he performed as part of the Pleasance Comedy Reserve at the Edinburgh Fringe, was a finalist in the Laughing Boy New Act Competition and placed 3rd in 'Comedy Central's Funniest Student'. James also appeared on certain YouTube channels such as The Football Republic (Top 10 Football F*ck Up's) and Spurred On. In 2022, he was a guest host on Ed Gamble and Matthew Crosby's Radio X show.

In 2019, James embarked on his first nationwide tour Snitch, which was completed in 2021 after delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He has also appeared on The Great American Joke Off on The CW, as one of the panel of six comedians performing in 2023. James' first book, titled You'll Like It When You Get There, was published in August 2025.

Live shows

Begins (2014) Remains (2015) Forgives (2016) Snitch (2019–2021)

Podcasts James has been featured on numerous podcasts, including Brett Goldstein's Films To Be Buried With and Jamie Laing's Private Parts.

In 2020, James began hosting a podcast called Early Work which featured conversations with performers about their early creative material.

In 2022, James started hosting Fit & Proper alongside Lloyd Griffith. This podcast sees a weekly guest hypothetically rebuild a football club of their choosing.

Television