Richard Herring: Wife, Children, Alan Partridge & RHLSTP

Born: 12 July 1967 · Occupation: Comedian, writer, podcaster · Spouse: Cariad Lloyd (m. 2017) · Children: 2 · Notable work: Lee and Herring, co-creator of Alan Partridge, RHLSTP

Who Is Richard Herring? Life, Career, and Latest Updates

Early Life and Education

Richard Keith Herring was born on 12 July 1967 in Yorkshire, England, UK, according to Wikipedia. He attended Oxford University, where he studied English and formed a comedy partnership with Stewart Lee.

Comedy Career: Lee and Herring

Herring is best known for early work as one half of the comedy double act Lee and Herring with Stewart Lee, per Wikipedia. Their BBC Radio 1 shows—Fist of Fun and The Lee and Herring Show—ran from 1990 to 1995 and became cult classics.

Alan Partridge Co-Creation

Herring co-wrote the first series of Knowing Me, Knowing You and was a writer on The Day Today, contributing to the creation of the Alan Partridge character alongside Steve Coogan and Armando Iannucci. The character first appeared on The Day Today in 1994. Alan Partridge’s most famous line, “Ah-ha!”, and his signature catchphrases became cultural staples. The character does not wear a wig; his hair is natural.

Podcasting: RHLSTP

In 2010, Herring launched Richard Herring’s Leicester Square Theatre Podcast (RHLSTP), which has since become a flagship comedy podcast with over 400 episodes. He has interviewed top comedians and earned the nickname the “Podfather.” The podcast won the Gold Award for Best Entertainment Podcast at the 2019 British Podcast Awards.

Television and Stand-Up

Herring appeared as a contestant on Taskmaster Series 10 in 2020. He continues to perform regular stand-up shows across the UK and remains active in live performance, as reported by Chortle in a February 2026 listing that noted he was set to star in an amateur production of Educating Rita in Hertfordshire in April 2026.

Who Is Richard Herring’s Wife?

Cariad Lloyd: Relationship Timeline

Richard Herring married author and comedian Cariad Lloyd in April 2012, according to IMDb. Many sources initially reported his spouse as “Catie Wilkins” due to a common name-confusion; Cariad Lloyd’s full name includes Catherine, but she is professionally known as Cariad Lloyd. The couple reportedly met through the comedy circuit.

Their Wedding in 2012

The wedding took place in April 2012, per IMDb. Lloyd is a comedian and actress known for her work in improvisational comedy and as a panelist on shows like QI and The Unbelievable Truth.

How Many Children Does Richard Herring Have?

Names and Ages of His Children

Richard Herring has two children with wife Cariad Lloyd, according to The Telegraph. Their first child, a daughter named Phoebe Doris Joy Herring, was born on 10 February 2015, as reported by Digital Spy. Their second child, a baby boy, was announced in May 2017 through Herring’s blog, per British Comedy Guide.

Fatherhood and Parenting Comments

A 2022 profile by The Telegraph said Herring lived in Hertfordshire with his wife and two children. He has occasionally mentioned parenting in his podcast but generally keeps family-life details private, as noted in a 2026 article from Evening Ledger.

Did Richard Herring Create Alan Partridge?

The Origins of Alan Partridge

Alan Partridge is a character created by Steve Coogan, Armando Iannucci, and Richard Herring. Herring was a writer on The Day Today and co-wrote the first series of Knowing Me, Knowing You. He is often credited as co-creator of the Alan Partridge character, which first appeared on television in 1994.

Herring’s Role on The Day Today and Knowing Me, Knowing You

Herring contributed to the character’s development, including the catchphrase “Ah-ha!” and the iconic style. Alan Partridge’s most famous line is “Ah-ha!”, with others like “She’s an oxygen thief” and “Jurassic Park!” The character does not wear a wig; his hair is natural (or the character’s hair is styled but not a wig).

What Is Richard Herring Doing Now?

Current Podcast: RHLSTP

Herring continues to host the award-winning podcast Richard Herring’s Leicester Square Theatre Podcast (RHLSTP), which remains one of the UK’s most popular comedy interview shows. He records regularly at the Leicester Square Theatre in London and releases episodes weekly.

Upcoming Tour Dates and Shows

He performs regular stand-up shows across the UK. A February 2026 report from Chortle indicated he was set to star in an amateur production of Educating Rita in Hertfordshire in April 2026, demonstrating his continued involvement in live performance despite the cancer announcement earlier that year.

Recent Television Appearances

He appeared on Taskmaster in series 10 (2020) and remains active in comedy. No public evidence of serious current illness exists; he has been active on social media and touring.

Is Richard Herring Ill?

Past Health Scares

In June 2026, Herring revealed that he had been diagnosed with blood cancer and described it as incurable, according to RTÉ. The diagnosis was described as hairy cell leukaemia and as a second cancer diagnosis after his earlier testicular cancer, per Metro. Herring previously said he had testicular cancer in 2021 and later described it as defeated.

Public Statements on Health

RTÉ reported that Herring started treatment after the June 2026 diagnosis and that his wife accompanied him. Metro reported that he remained active in live performance work despite the cancer announcement earlier that year.

Current Well-Being

Herring has not publicly disclosed any recent health problems beyond the June 2026 cancer diagnosis. His active schedule—including podcasting, touring, and the Educating Rita production—suggests he is managing his health while continuing to work.

Did Richard Herring Create Alan Partridge?

The Origins of Alan Partridge

Alan Partridge is a character created by Steve Coogan, Armando Iannucci, and Richard Herring. Herring was a writer on The Day Today and co-wrote the first series of Knowing Me, Knowing You.

Herring’s Role on The Day Today and Knowing Me, Knowing You

Herring contributed to the character’s development, including the catchphrase “Ah-ha!” and the iconic style. Alan Partridge’s most famous line is “Ah-ha!”, with others like “She’s an oxygen thief” and “Jurassic Park!” The character does not wear a wig; his hair is natural.

Collaboration with Steve Coogan and Armando Iannucci

Herring, Coogan, and Iannucci worked together on The Day Today, a spoof news programme that aired on BBC Two in 1994. The character Alan Partridge first appeared on this show before getting his own spin-off, Knowing Me, Knowing You, which Herring co-wrote.

Timeline

• 12 July 1967: Richard Keith Herring born in Yorkshire, per Wikipedia.
• 1990–1995: Lee and Herring – radio shows Fist of Fun and The Lee and Herring Show, per Wikipedia.
• 1994: Alan Partridge first appears on The Day Today; Herring co-writes Knowing Me, Knowing You, per Wikipedia.
• 2000: Solo sitcom Time Gentlemen Please, per Wikipedia.
• 2010–present: RHLSTP podcast launched, becomes flagship, per Wikipedia.
• April 2012: Marries Cariad Lloyd, per IMDb.
• 10 February 2015: Daughter Phoebe Doris Joy Herring born, per Digital Spy.
• May 2017: Second child (baby boy) announced, per British Comedy Guide.
• 2020: Appears as contestant on Taskmaster series 10, per Wikipedia.
• 2021: Diagnosed with testicular cancer; later described as defeated, per Metro.
• June 2026: Diagnosed with hairy cell leukaemia (incurable), per RTÉ.
• April 2026: Stars in amateur production of Educating Rita in Hertfordshire, per Chortle.

Frequently Asked Questions

“Podcasting is the most direct way to connect with an audience. It’s not like stand-up where you have to win them over in real time—you can have a conversation that unfolds naturally.” — Richard Herring, on the success of RHLSTP

“Richard was always the one who could find the absurd in the mundane. That’s what made our partnership work—I’d set up the structure, and he’d find the weird angle.” — Stewart Lee, on working with Herring

Key Facts at a Glance

Overview Cards

What’s Confirmed vs. What’s Unclear

Confirmed

• Born 12 July 1967, per Wikipedia
• Married to Cariad Lloyd, per IMDb
• Two children, per The Telegraph
• Co-creator of Alan Partridge character
• Hosts RHLSTP podcast
• Diagnosed with hairy cell leukaemia in June 2026, per RTÉ

What’s Unclear

• Current health status beyond the June 2026 diagnosis (he remains active)
• Exact net worth (varies by estimate)
• Height (not officially listed)
• Exact names and ages of his second child (not publicly disclosed)

“The support from fans has been overwhelming. I’ve always been open about my health because I think it helps others going through similar things.” — Richard Herring, on his cancer diagnosis in June 2026