Reece Shearsmith is predicted to win Amazon's Last One Laughing Halloween special, according to Deputy TV editor Tom Percival, who says the comedian's composure and horror expertise give him the edge.
In the special, six comedians—Jack Dee, Daisy May Cooper, Phil Wang, Lou Sanders, Reece Shearsmith, Harriet Dyer, and Tom Allen—entered Jimmy Carr's lair. They had to keep a straight face while facing spooky surprises, including zombies and a dead David Mitchell, and were barred from screaming.
Why Shearsmith is the favourite
Percival argues that Shearsmith's performance in the first three episodes, including a Joker sketch he calls "arguably the funniest sketch we've ever seen on the show," demonstrates a perfect skillset. Despite receiving a yellow card when Catherine Tate pretended to be an old woman, Shearsmith has shown he can remain composed, as seen on Taskmaster.
His ability to turn amusement into exasperated frustration is a key advantage, similar to season two winner David Mitchell's talent. Percival notes that Shearsmith's macabre sense of humour and love of horror make him a dangerous player, actively hunting other comedians with his tricks.
Competition analysis
Lou Sanders and Jack Dee are already eliminated. Percival sees cracks in Daisy May Cooper's defences and believes Phil Wang is too nice to win, likely to laugh out of politeness. Tom Allen's haughty persona is described as brittle and likely to break under constant jokes.
Harriet Dyer is highlighted as a wildcard, with senior TV reporter Asyia Iftikhar noting her deadpan humour and ability to stay unfazed, citing her viral clip on 8 out of 10 Cats with Jimmy. However, Percival remains convinced Shearsmith will win, despite uncertainty about Dyer's potential.
The final episode will be available on October 30 on Prime Video.
