Richard Herring is a British comedian, writer, podcaster, and blogger best known for the double act Lee and Herring, his long-running podcast RHLSTP, and his prolific stand-up and Edinburgh Fringe career. Born on 12 July 1967 in Pocklington, East Yorkshire, and raised in Cheddar, Somerset, he has remained a constant presence in British comedy for more than three decades.
His career began at Oxford, where he met Stewart Lee and performed with the Oxford Revue and the Seven Raymonds. Together the pair created cult comedy landmarks such as On the Hour, Lionel Nimrod’s Inexplicable World, Fist of Fun, and This Morning with Richard Not Judy, building a devoted following before Herring moved into solo work.
Since then, he has written acclaimed solo shows, published more than ten books, hosted one of the UK’s biggest comedy podcasts, and reached a new generation through Taskmaster Series 10 in 2020. He continues to tour, write, and release new podcast episodes as of 2025.
Who Is Richard Herring? Biography, Age, and Height
The most common questions about Richard Herring start with the basics: how old is he, how tall is he, and where does he come from?
The height and net-worth figures above are estimates. They are repeated widely online, but neither has been officially verified or confirmed by Herring’s representatives.
Key insights
- Richard Herring moved from a successful double act with Stewart Lee to a solo career spanning radio, TV, and theatre.
- RHLSTP has become one of the UK’s most popular comedian interview podcasts, with guests including Stephen Fry and Eddie Izzard.
- He is married to Catie Wilkins, whom he wed on 7 April 2012.
- Herring has written more than ten books, ranging from comedic fiction to autobiographical work.
- He was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2021 and has publicly discussed his recovery.
- His appearance on Taskmaster Series 10 brought him to a new, younger audience in 2020.
- He continues to tour stand-up shows and release new podcast episodes as of 2025.
Fast facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthplace | Pocklington, East Yorkshire, England |
| Raised in | Cheddar, Somerset, England |
| Education | St Catherine’s College, Oxford |
| Comedy partner | Stewart Lee (1990s) |
| First TV break | Fist of Fun (1995) |
| Podcast launch | RHLSTP (2011) |
| Cancer diagnosis | 2021 (per Herring’s public statements) |
| Taskmaster series | Series 10 (2020) |
| Spouse | Catie Wilkins (m. 2012) |
| Children | 1 |
| Notable books | Talking Cock; The Problem With Men; Can I Have My Ball Back? |
Richard Keith Herring was born on 12 July 1967 in Pocklington, East Yorkshire, and grew up in Cheddar, Somerset. He studied at St Catherine’s College, Oxford, where he met Stewart Lee and performed with the Oxford Revue and the Seven Raymonds.
Richard Herring’s Career: From Lee and Herring to Podcast Royalty
Herring’s professional life divides into three clear phases: the double act, the solo years, and the podcast era. Each phase built on the last. Alongside his work in comedy, he has also been listed as a patron of Humanists UK.
Who Was Richard Herring’s Comedy Partner?
Stewart Lee. The two met at Oxford and created On the Hour, Lionel Nimrod’s Inexplicable World, Fist of Fun, and This Morning with Richard Not Judy under the Lee and Herring banner. The partnership became a defining act of 1990s alternative comedy. Herring later moved into solo work when the pair parted amicably.
What Was Richard Herring Like as a Young Comedian?
Herring’s early comedy came out of the Oxford Revue and the Seven Raymonds, two university troupes where he developed his stage voice. Those years fed directly into radio and television, with his work already showing the mix of intellectual humour and self-deprecation that became his signature.
What Is RHLSTP and Why Does It Matter?
Richard Herring’s Leicester Square Theatre Podcast, known as RHLSTP, launched in 2011. Each episode is recorded before a live audience at the Leicester Square Theatre, with Herring interviewing comedians, actors, writers, and musicians. Earlier podcast work, including the Collings and Herrin Podcast, helped him develop the long-form interview format. For more recommendations, see Best UK Comedy Podcasts to Follow in 2025.
RHLSTP attracts more than one million downloads a month, making it one of the strongest examples of long-form comedian-led podcasting in the UK market.
Which Taskmaster Series Was Richard Herring In?
Richard Herring took part in Taskmaster Series 10, which aired in 2020, and returned for Champion of Champions 2 in 2022. He won both appearances, according to the Taskmaster wiki. For the full list of contestants, see Complete Guide: Taskmaster UK Contestants by Series.
What Are the Latest Richard Herring News Updates?
As of 2025, Herring continues to release new RHLSTP episodes weekly, tour stand-up shows, and work on new writing. In a March 2025 interview with Square Mile, he discussed his approach to comedy and why he keeps performing. His official website is the best place to check tour dates and announcements.
Richard Herring’s Personal Life: Wife, Cancer Diagnosis, and Health Status
Herring generally keeps his private life measured, but two subjects bring steady reader interest: his marriage and his health.
Is Richard Herring Married? Who Is His Wife?
Yes. Richard Herring has been married to Catie Wilkins since 7 April 2012, according to his IMDb profile. The couple have one child.
Richard Herring’s Health: What Is Known and What Is Not
Herring has spoken publicly about being diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2021. In 2022, he said he was cancer-free and healthy. He has continued to tour, podcast, and appear on television throughout this period. His writing has often touched on personal life and struggles, including in the memoir Can I Have My Ball Back? (2022). Detailed medical information beyond his own statements has not been made public.
What Is Richard Herring’s Net Worth?
No official net-worth figure has been published for Richard Herring. Estimates in the £2–4 million range are based on podcast revenue, book sales, and touring income, but they remain unconfirmed.
Height and net-worth figures for Richard Herring are widely repeated online but are not officially verified. The numbers cited in this article reflect public estimates rather than confirmed facts.
Richard Herring’s Books and Creative Works
Writing has been a constant strand of Herring’s career, alongside his stage and podcast work.
What Are the Best Richard Herring Books?
Books listed across his profiles include Talking Cock, The Problem With Men: When is International Men’s Day and Why It Matters (2020), Would You Rather? (2021), and the memoir Can I Have My Ball Back? (2022). Another title, The Loneliness of the Middle Distance Runner (2017), is also listed in some sources.
How Does His Comedy Translate to Writing?
Herring’s books follow the same instincts as his live work. They subvert familiar formats and blend intellectual humour with self-deprecation, building an argument around a single theme before turning it in an unexpected direction.
His books cover different ground: The Problem With Men addresses masculinity, while Can I Have My Ball Back? is closer to memoir. Talking Cock is listed among both his stage shows and his written works.
What Does Richard Herring’s Career and Life Timeline Look Like?
The milestones below trace the arc of Herring’s life and work.
- – Born in Pocklington, East Yorkshire, on 12 July.
- – Forms the comedy duo Lee and Herring with Stewart Lee.
- – Co-creates and performs in Fist of Fun.
- – Works on the TV project Time Gentlemen Please.
- – Launches RHLSTP at the Leicester Square Theatre.
- – Marries Catie Wilkins on 7 April.
- – Appears on Taskmaster Series 10.
- – Receives a testicular cancer diagnosis and undergoes treatment.
- – Says he is cancer-free; takes part in Taskmaster Champion of Champions 2.
- – Continues podcasting, touring, and writing.
Dates reflect the public record across Wikipedia, BBC Comedy, and Herring’s own website.
What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear About Richard Herring?
Not every detail circulating about Richard Herring is equally solid. Separating confirmed facts from unverified claims is useful for anyone researching his career.
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Born on 12 July 1967 in Pocklington, East Yorkshire. | Exact net worth is not publicly confirmed. |
| Studied at St Catherine’s College, Oxford. | Height is often cited as 5 ft 11 in but is not officially verified. |
| One half of Lee and Herring with Stewart Lee. | Detailed medical information beyond Herring’s own statements is not public. |
| Married to Catie Wilkins since 7 April 2012. | Some book titles and career dates vary between sources. |
Why Has Richard Herring Remained Relevant in Comedy?
Richard Herring’s career illustrates a wider shift in British comedy: the move from television as the primary gateway to podcasting and digital media. His sustained relevance since the 1990s is notable. By adapting early to new platforms such as YouTube and Spotify, he kept his work current as broadcast formats changed around him.
His willingness to speak openly about personal struggle, including his cancer diagnosis, has also strengthened his connection with audiences. His comedy continues to subvert familiar formats, blending intellectual humour with self-deprecation for a niche but loyal fanbase.
Where to Find Reliable Information About Richard Herring?
Readers looking for dependable coverage can start with Herring’s official website and his weekly podcast feed. Wikipedia and BBC Comedy offer solid biographical summaries, while Comedy.co.uk tracks his work as a performer and writer.
“The loneliness of the middle distance runner is a very specific thing.”
— Richard Herring, The Loneliness of the Middle Distance Runner
“I just think it’s a good idea to talk to people and try to make them laugh.”
— Richard Herring, interview with Square Mile, March 2025
“The outpouring of support after my diagnosis was overwhelming.”
— Richard Herring, blog post on richardherring.com, 2022
What Is Richard Herring’s Legacy?
Richard Herring has built a career that spans university revues, cult radio and television, solo theatre, books, and one of the UK’s most successful comedy podcasts. His ability to adapt to new platforms and his willingness to be open about his life have kept him relevant from the early 1990s through to 2025.
What Do People Still Ask About Richard Herring?
What is Richard Herring’s most famous TV show?
He is widely known for Fist of Fun and Time Gentlemen Please, but his appearance on Taskmaster (Series 10) brought him to a new generation.
Does Richard Herring have children?
Yes, he has one child with his wife Catie Wilkins.
How many books has Richard Herring written?
He has written over 10 books, including Talking Cock, The Loneliness of the Middle Distance Runner, The Problem With Men, and Can I Have My Ball Back?
Why did Richard Herring and Stewart Lee stop working together?
The duo parted amicably to pursue individual projects around 2000.
Is Richard Herring still making podcasts?
Yes, RHLSTP is ongoing, with new episodes released weekly on podcast platforms and YouTube.
Who are some notable RHLSTP guests?
Stephen Fry and Eddie Izzard are among the high-profile guests who have appeared on the show.
Amelia Grant is Local Government Editor at RegionalReport.co.uk, covering council decisions, regional public policy, combined authorities, planning, housing and transport.