Peter Serafinowicz makes cameo as ‘prime minister’ Nigel Farage in SNL UK skit
By Carla Feric, Press Association Entertainment Reporter
Shaun Of The Dead star Peter Serafinowicz made a cameo appearance portraying Reform UK leader Nigel Farage as the prime minister, in an SNL UK sketch set in 2046.
The comedy show opened on Saturday night with a political skit that saw Mr Farage at the helm of No 10, pouring pints at his desk while US President Donald Trump has taken over as the country’s king.
The sketch poked fun at the party’s sweeping wins during this week’s local council and Scottish and Welsh elections.
It opened with ‘Mr Farage’ filming a personalised 120th birthday message for beloved naturalist Sir David Attenborough, before Conservative party leader Kemi Badenoch (Ayoade Bamgboye) made an appearance as his deputy.
“Big news day, Prime Minister. Thanks to our deportations, the population of London is finally down to single fingers,” she said, eliciting raucous laughter from Mr Farage.
Taking aim at the ongoing conflict between US and Iran, she continued: “One last thing, King Trump assures us he has almost negotiated a ceasefire over the Strait of Hormuz.”
Mr Farage responds: “Phew, for a minute there, it felt like we were on the brink of World War Four.”
The two joke that since their parties merged, they have been “unstoppable”, much like the ongoing hantavirus, referring to the virus outbreak that has dominated headlines in recent days.
After checking the weather – which displays London in flames, poking fun at climate change – the two go on a walk and Sir Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner then appear from behind a bookshelf, which is actually a time machine.
The former deputy leader, played by Celeste Dring, tells Sir Keir (George Fouracres) that if he does not let her take charge of the government then “this future will come to pass”, and he responds by saying he will “seize every moment” as Prime Minister.
As Mr Farage returns to the office with Mrs Badenoch in tow, he questions who Sir Keir is, and says he is the “big chungus” of the “great United Kingdom and the middle part of Wales”.
They threaten to escort the Labour party leaders from the premises using security guards, but Mrs Badenoch quips: “We deported security.”
The skit ended with Al Nash appearing through the priministerial time machine portal dressed as Sir Winston Churchill to introduce the show, leading into Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham’s monologue.
The award-winning actress joked about the “glamorous characters” she has played in her career, before revealing images of less attractive roles such as her “sexy little turn as the shame nun” in hit TV series Game Of Thrones.
During the episode, Waddingham participated in a number of skits alongside the show’s inaugural cast, and was joined by Stargazing singer Myles Smith as the musical guest.
The show also mentioned the milestone 100th birthday of Sir David in its weekend news segment, and hosts Ania Magliano and Paddy Young interviewed a rhino (Hammed Animashaun) to ask their thoughts on the beloved broadcaster.
The sketch ended in chaos, with Sir David (Fouracres) making an appearance to wrestle the wild animal after it criticised him.
The Sky Original show is broadcast live from London and sees a different host each week alongside the show’s cast, which includes actor Hammed Animashaun and comedian Ania Magliano.
SNL UK returns on Sky and Now TV on May 16th for its series finale, with Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa as the host, joined by musical guest Holly Humberstone.
