“Ellis’s performance is touched by comic genius. Every moment he is on stage something funny, and then funnier, is happening.” ★★★★★
Kate Copstick, The Scotsman
“The density of gags is impressive… there’s not many better exponents of this message-free, ego-free, knockabout comedy than Ellis in his prime.” ★★★★½
Steve Bennett, Chortle
“Ellis has done it again… wheezingly funny… immaculately written gags… he leaves you in awe. Phil Ellis is a conductor of chaos, always has been… The Fringe is much richer for his presence, turning it up a notch year on year – may the Lord of Misrule wear his crown with pride” ★★★★★
Polly Glynn, The Skinny
“provoking waves of convulsive laughter in his barrage of decidedly silly creativity” ★★★★★
Kevin Fullerton, The List
June 3rd 2026 – Multi award-winning comedian and breakout star of Taskmaster (Channel 4) Phil Ellis returns to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe as part of his biggest tour to date, bringing his hit stand-up show Bath Mat to Monkey Barrel 1 from 3rd – 30th August at 1.55pm. Due to overwhelming demand, an extra London tour show (his eighth so far on this tour) has also been announced at Wilton’s Music Hall on 10th October 2026. This follows a hugely successful first leg of the tour, which has seen the ‘comic genius’ (The Scotsman) and ‘Lord of Misrule’ (The Skinny) sell out an astonishing 50+ shows across the UK (including London’s Leicester Square Theatre and a 5 night run at Soho Theatre) and extend the tour into 2027.
Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Wilton’s Music Hall tickets are on-sale now. Full dates and tickets at philelliscomedy.com
Bath Mat sees Phil revel in the joys of live performance, employing his unique brand of chaotic comedy, whip-smart, superbly crafted gags, and freewheeling spirit to deliver a celebratory show that will leave you aching with laughter, and hungry for more.
The past year has been a landmark one for Phil. Aside from embarking on his biggest ever stand-up tour, he became the people’s champion of Taskmaster Series 20 and an instant favourite, endearing fans with his unorthodox approach to tasks and gleefully anarchic nature. It also saw Phil bring back his Edinburgh Comedy Award Panel Prize winning kids show, Funz & Gamez to the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe, and an hour of stand-up, receiving critical acclaim across the board for both shows plus 3 awards, The ISH Comedy Award for ‘Best Show,’ The List Festival Award for ‘Best Kids Show’ and The Malcolm Hardee Award for ‘Act That Should Make a Million Quid’.
His 2023 Edinburgh Fringe show, Phil Ellis’ Excellent Comedy Show was critically acclaimed and saw him receive a nomination for Best Show at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards. After taking home the Edinburgh Comedy Award Panel Prize for Funz & Gamez, it was broadcast as part of BBC Radio 4’s Fresh from the Fest and BBC Comedy Feeds (BBC Three). The show went on to have an 18-show run at the Soho Theatre and all major UK comedy festivals.
Phil co-wrote and starred in three series of his own BBC Radio 4 sitcom Phil Ellis is Trying, alongside Johnny Vegas, Lolly Adefope, Amy Gledhill, Alexei Sayle, Sindhu Vee, Jack Dee, Lee Mack, Mark Lamarr and Sean Lock. The series was nominated for a BBC Audio Award in 2019. Phil’s TV appearances include: The Russell Howard Hour (Sky), Roast Battle (Comedy Central) There She Goes (BBC Two), Drunk History: UK (Comedy Central), as well as writing and performing credits on BBC Three’s The Tapeface Tapes and co-writing 3 comedy shorts for Dave. Phil hosted BBC Radio 4’s Funny From The Fringe podcast 2 years running and was the host of Fringe Binge, his hit daily Edinburgh Festival Fringe podcast in 2022 and 2023.
EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE LISTINGS INFORMATION
Phil Ellis – Bath Mat
Venue: Monkey Barrel 1
Date and time: 3rd – 30th August at 1.55pm
Duration: 60 mins
Web: philelliscomedy.com
More praise for Phil Ellis:
“Bath Mat makes for a particularly endearing introduction to the recent Taskmaster contestant for new fans, and a fine addition to Ellis’s oeuvre for existing ones… His world building and punchlines are second-to-none” ★★★★
Polly Glynn, The Skinny
“Phil Ellis puts more fun into his funny than any other comic… comedy perfection” ★★★★
Kate Copstick, The Scotsman
“Entertainment is in his blood… excellent jokes” ★★★★
Steve Bennett, Chortle
“It’s a surreal and unforgettable hour which firmly cements Phil Ellis as one of the funniest and finest comedians in the UK today.” ★★★★★
James Macfarlane, Broadway Baby
“A supremely well-crafted and thoughtfully paced performance… He is the master of his genre and truly a performer at the top of his game.” ★★★★★
Geoff Evans, One4Review
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For more information / press requests, please contact Chloe Waterhouse at CWaterhouse@avalonuk.com
