Comedian's Sudden Exit from Competition Show Explained
Comedian Gbemisola Ikumelo has finally disclosed the real reason behind her abrupt departure from the second series of Last One Laughing: UK, revealing it was far from a laughing matter. The 40-year-old star, known for her role in Black Ops, was forced to leave the Prime Video show early after vomiting on set while seated with hosts Jimmy Carr and Roisin Conaty.
A Competition Turned Physical Ordeal
Ikumelo proved herself a formidable competitor on the series, which challenges ten comedians to survive six hours in a room without smiling or giggling while attempting to make others laugh. She lasted through four episodes before becoming the first contestant eliminated by chuckling. Typically, eliminated stars join Carr and Conaty in the control room, but viewers were told Ikumelo wasn't "feeling well" and had to depart.
Speaking for the first time about the incident on the Where There's A Will, There's A Wake podcast with Mel Giedroyc, Ikumelo described the moment she vomited. "I sat in the control room with Jimmy and Roisin and suddenly felt like the room was spinning and really nauseous. A little bit of bile started to come up and I just threw up and then I ran," she recounted. Initially, the crew mistook it for a spit take, cheering to capture the moment, but soon realized the severity when they had to clean up the vomit.
Health Hazards and Unusual Circumstances
When asked about the cause, Ikumelo attributed it to inadequate nutrition during filming. "There were sweets and I don't really do sweets. I do hot food, I'm not a cold food person and it was all cold food so I didn't really eat," she explained. She added that the only water she consumed came from a random source: "The only water I drank was a random bit of water out of Sam Campbell's A4 wallet and I don't know where he got that water from." Giedroyc humorously responded, "That's why you puked!"
In a piece to camera after the incident, Ikumelo reflected, "I think suppressing laughter is probably quite hazardous to one's health. I'm gutted that I missed the rest of the game but I am feeling much better now." The Independent has reached out to Amazon for comment on the matter.
Other Physical Toll from the Show
Ikumelo wasn't the only one affected physically by the competition's demands. Giedroyc admitted to developing an "inflamed right jaw" after pulling a face to stifle laughter during filming. She recalled a dentist visit where she was asked about teeth grinding, only to later remember the strain from the show. "And I said, 'No I never do that.' And then I suddenly bloody remembered," she said.
The second series featured comedians like Maisie Adam, Bob Mortimer, Romesh Ranganathan, and Diane Morgan, with David Mitchell ultimately winning the trophy. Earlier in April, competitor Amy Gledhill revealed that Carr intervened to cut a scene deemed too "filthy" for television, highlighting the show's unpredictable and often intense nature.
This incident underscores the physical challenges comedians face in high-pressure entertainment environments, blending humor with unexpected health risks.
