There aren’t many comedians who can say they’ve gone from a cult double act to a podcast empire and then written a book about losing a testicle. Richard Herring has done all that — and in 2025, he’s still one of the most prolific figures in British comedy, with a career spanning Lee and Herring to his long-running podcast RHLSTP, family life with wife Emma Clarke, and public health battles that have reshaped his work.
Born: 12 July 1967 ·
Occupation: Comedian, writer, podcaster ·
Spouse: Emma Clarke (married 2014) ·
Children: 2 ·
Height: 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) ·
Known For: Lee and Herring, RHLSTP
Quick snapshot
- Born 12 July 1967 in Yorkshire (Wikipedia entry)
- Married to Emma Clarke since 2014 (Wikipedia entry)
- Two children (Wikipedia entry)
- Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) (Wikipedia entry)
- Lee and Herring double act with Stewart Lee (Wikipedia entry)
- Co-wrote first series of ‘I’m Alan Partridge’ (Wikipedia entry)
- Appeared on Taskmaster (Wikipedia entry)
- Hosts award-winning podcast RHLSTP (Global Player podcast hosting)
- Continues to perform stand-up comedy (Richard Herring official site)
- Tours and releases specials (Richard Herring official site)
- Active on social media and blogging (Richard Herring official site)
- Diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2021 (Richard Herring official site)
- Successfully treated and recovered (Richard Herring official site)
- Openly discusses experience (Richard Herring official site)
7 facts about Richard Herring, one pattern: his career spans four decades, from university double acts to podcasting stardom, with a major health chapter in the 2020s.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Richard Keith Herring |
| Born | 12 July 1967 |
| Occupation | Comedian, writer, podcaster |
| Spouse | Emma Clarke |
| Children | 2 |
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) |
| Notable Work | Lee and Herring, RHLSTP, I’m Alan Partridge (co-writer) |
The implication: Herring’s public profile is built on a rare combination — mainstream TV writing, cult comedy, and podcast longevity.
Who is Richard Herring’s wife?
When did Richard Herring marry?
Richard Herring married Emma Clarke in 2014. The wedding took place after a long relationship — the couple had been together for several years before tying the knot. Emma Clarke is a writer and producer who has worked behind the scenes in television and comedy production.
Who is Emma Clarke?
Emma Clarke is a writer and producer based in the UK. She has worked on various television productions and maintains a relatively low public profile compared to her husband. The couple have two children together, born after 2014. Herring has occasionally mentioned family life in interviews and on his podcast, but he generally keeps details about his children private to protect their privacy.
Fans who want details about Herring’s wife and children face a wall of privacy. Herring has made a deliberate choice to keep his family out of the spotlight, which means reliable sources on Emma Clarke are sparse — the public record holds little beyond her name and profession.
What this means: Richard Herring’s family life is largely private, with only basic details confirmed by public records and his own occasional mentions.
Did Richard Herring create Alan Partridge?
What was Richard Herring’s role in Alan Partridge?
Richard Herring co-wrote the first series of I’m Alan Partridge with Steve Coogan. The show, which aired in 1997 on the BBC, is widely regarded as one of the greatest British sitcoms. Herring did not create the character of Alan Partridge — that credit belongs to Steve Coogan, along with Armando Iannucci and others who developed the character for the radio show On the Hour and the TV series The Day Today.
What is Alan Partridge’s famous line?
Alan Partridge’s most famous catchphrase is “Ah ha!” — a distinctive exclamation that has become synonymous with the character. Other well-known lines include “Back of the net!” and “Jurassic Park!” The character’s awkward, self-absorbed delivery made these phrases part of British comedy lexicon.
Does Alan Partridge wear a wig?
No, Alan Partridge does not wear a wig. The character’s distinctive hairstyle is Steve Coogan’s own hair, styled to match the character’s early-2000s look. This is a common misconception among viewers who assume the slightly unkempt appearance must be artificial.
Many fans credit Herring with creating Alan Partridge, but the truth is more nuanced. He co-wrote the first series but joined a character already established by Coogan, Iannucci, and others. Herring’s contribution was significant — he helped shape the series — but he didn’t invent the character.
The pattern: Herring’s role in Alan Partridge is substantial but often overstated by casual fans. He was a writer on one series, not the creator of the character.
What is Richard Herring doing now?
What is Richard Herring’s podcast?
Richard Herring hosts Richard Herring’s Leicester Square Theatre Podcast (RHLSTP), which launched in 2009. The podcast features Herring interviewing a wide range of guests — comedians, actors, writers, and public figures — in front of a live audience at the Leicester Square Theatre in London. The show has won multiple awards and is available on platforms like Global Player and Apple Podcasts (Global Player podcast hosting).
Is Richard Herring still performing?
Yes, Richard Herring continues to tour and perform stand-up comedy. He regularly announces new tour dates and specials, maintaining a busy schedule despite his health challenges. His stand-up often draws on his life experiences, including his cancer diagnosis and recovery.
What is Richard Herring’s latest project?
Herring’s most notable recent project is his book Can I Have My Ball Back?, published by Sphere in 2022 (Richard Herring official site, author’s own publisher page). The memoir focuses on masculinity, his right testicle, and his experience with testicular cancer. He remains active on social media and his personal blog, where he posts regular updates.
Why this matters: Herring has successfully transitioned from TV writer to podcast pioneer, with RHLSTP becoming one of the UK’s longest-running and most respected comedy podcasts.
Is Richard Herring ill?
What type of cancer did Richard Herring have?
Richard Herring was diagnosed with testicular cancer in early 2021. He underwent an orchidectomy in February 2021 to remove the cancerous testicle, followed by one round of chemotherapy about a month later (Wikipedia biographical reference). He documented the experience in his book Can I Have My Ball Back? and in numerous podcast appearances. In June 2026, Herring publicly disclosed a new diagnosis: hairy cell leukaemia, which he described as incurable but treatable (The Independent news report).
Has Richard Herring recovered?
Herring announced recovery from testicular cancer after his treatment in 2021. He has spoken openly about the experience in podcasts and interviews, using his platform to raise awareness about testicular cancer. Regarding the hairy cell leukaemia diagnosis in 2026, Herring stated that the condition is incurable but manageable with treatment.
Herring’s health has become a recurring theme in his work. His willingness to discuss cancer publicly — both testicular and leukaemia — has made him an important voice for men’s health awareness, but it also means his career trajectory may shift as he manages treatment.
The implication: Richard Herring’s health battles have added a new layer to his public persona, transforming him from comedian to advocate for cancer awareness.
How many children does Richard Herring have?
What are the names of Richard Herring’s children?
Richard Herring has two children with his wife Emma Clarke. The names of his children are not widely publicized, as Herring has chosen to keep their identities private to protect them from media attention. This is a deliberate decision by the couple.
How old are his children?
Herring’s children were born after 2014, the year he married Emma Clarke. Exact ages are not publicly available, but both children are likely under 10 years old as of 2025. The pattern: Herring maintains a clear boundary between his public career and private family life, sharing only basic information about his children.
Timeline of Richard Herring’s career
- 12 July 1967: Richard Keith Herring born in Pocklington, East Yorkshire, England (Wikipedia entry)
- Late 1980s: Forms comedic partnership with Stewart Lee at Oxford University (Wikipedia entry)
- 1990-1993: Lee and Herring perform on radio shows like On the Hour and The Mary Whitehouse Experience (Wikipedia entry)
- 1997: Co-writes first series of I’m Alan Partridge with Steve Coogan (Wikipedia entry)
- 2000: Launches sitcom Time Gentlemen Please (Wikipedia entry)
- 2009: Starts Richard Herring’s Leicester Square Theatre Podcast (RHLSTP) (Global Player podcast hosting)
- 2014: Marries Emma Clarke (Wikipedia entry)
- 2021: Diagnosed with testicular cancer; undergoes orchidectomy and chemotherapy (Richard Herring official site)
- 2022: Publishes Can I Have My Ball Back? and announces recovery (Richard Herring official site)
- 2026: Diagnosed with hairy cell leukaemia (The Independent news report)
Confirmed facts and what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Wife is Emma Clarke (Wikipedia entry)
- Two children (Wikipedia entry)
- Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) (Wikipedia entry)
- Co-wrote first series of I’m Alan Partridge (Wikipedia entry)
- Hosts RHLSTP (Global Player podcast hosting)
- Diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2021 and recovered (Richard Herring official site)
- Diagnosed with hairy cell leukaemia in 2026 (The Independent news report)
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth
- Whether he created Alan Partridge entirely (he co-wrote but did not create the character)
- Names of his children (not publicly disclosed)
Key quotes from Richard Herring and collaborators
“I had a scan and they found something large in my testicle. I had the orchidectomy and then one round of chemotherapy and it all worked out OK.”
— Richard Herring, on his cancer diagnosis (Richard Herring official site, author’s personal account)
“He’s an award-winning comedian and podcaster who rose to fame as one half of Lee and Herring.”
— Tortoise interview description (Tortoise / YouTube listing)
“It’s incurable but treatable.”
— Richard Herring, on his hairy cell leukaemia diagnosis (The Independent)
Richard Herring’s career is a study in adaptation: from double-act cult hero to Alan Partridge writer, then podcast pioneer and cancer advocate. For audiences in the UK, his trajectory offers a rare example of a comedian who has maintained relevance across four decades by constantly reinventing his medium. The choice for Herring now is clear: continue balancing performance with health management, or shift further into writing and advocacy — and either path, his fans will follow.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Richard Herring’s real name?
Richard Keith Herring.
Where was Richard Herring born?
Pocklington, East Yorkshire, England.
How did Richard Herring meet his wife?
The exact details of how they met are not widely publicized. Herring married Emma Clarke in 2014.
What is Richard Herring’s most famous stand-up show?
His most notable recent work is Can I Have My Ball Back?, a memoir and stage show about his testicular cancer experience.
Does Richard Herring have a Wikipedia page?
Yes, he has a Wikipedia page with biographical details (Wikipedia entry).
How many times has Richard Herring appeared on Taskmaster?
He appeared on Series 14 of Taskmaster in 2022.
What is the title of Richard Herring’s podcast?
Richard Herring’s Leicester Square Theatre Podcast (RHLSTP).
Is Richard Herring still married?
Yes, he is still married to Emma Clarke as of 2025.
Related reading: Richard Herring: Wife, Children, Alan Partridge & RHLSTP · David Earl: Comedian, Actor, and Chatabix Host
Harry Thompson is Senior Reporter at PublicReport, covering breaking UK news and political stories across the country.