- Joe Lycett is the current favourite in the market for who will host an episode of SNL UK's second series
- The twelve-episode second series begins on 12 September 2026, split into six episodes broadcast in 2026 and a further six airing in 2027.
- All cast members from the first series are due to return, with airdates for the 2026 run of episodes confirmed in August 2026.
Lycett Leads A Genuinely Star-Studded Field
Joe Lycett is the current favourite in the betting to host an episode of SNL UK's second series, with betting experts pricing the comedian narrowly ahead of a genuinely stacked field as anticipation builds toward the show's return this month.
Lycett sits at 5/4 in the market, just ahead of Olivia Colman and Sabrina Carpenter, who are both priced at 6/4 apiece.
Hosting duties on a series like this one tend to generate plenty of speculation well before any names are officially confirmed, and with a returning cast already locked in, attention has understandably turned toward who might be stepping up to lead each individual episode.
With Lycett appearing on Celebrity Traitors later this year, it may well be that SNL producers look towards the hype around that show.
The mix of names currently being talked about, spanning comedy, film, television and music, gives a good sense of just how broad the show's appeal has become since it first launched in the UK.

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Lycett Edges A Three-Way Battle
With thirteen names currently priced up, the top of the market is unusually tight compared to most entertainment betting markets of this kind.
| SNL UK Series Two Hosts | Odds* | Implied Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Joe Lycett | 5/4 | 44.4% |
| Olivia Colman | 6/4 | 40.0% |
| Sabrina Carpenter | 6/4 | 40.0% |
| David Tennant | 5/2 | 28.6% |
| Harry Styles | 5/2 | 28.6% |
| Joseph Quinn | 3/1 | 25.0% |
| Sam Fender | 3/1 | 25.0% |
| Tom Holland | 4/1 | 20.0% |
| Olivia Dean | 5/1 | 16.7% |
| Richard Ayoade | 6/1 | 14.3% |
| Romesh Ranganathan | 6/1 | 14.3% |
| Madonna | 6/1 | 14.3% |
| Steve Coogan | 7/1 | 12.5% |
*As betting sites currently aren't taking bets on this event, odds have been compiled as theoretical probability from an entertainment perspective only and come from an industry expert
Lycett's implied probability of 44.4% is only narrowly ahead of Olivia Colman and Sabrina Carpenter, who are tied at 40.0% apiece, meaning the gap between first and third is a matter of a few percentage points rather than a clear-cut advantage.
David Tennant and Harry Styles form a similarly matched pairing just behind at 28.6%, while Joseph Quinn and Sam Fender are tied further back at 25.0%.
Series 2 Set For September Return
Airdates for this year's batch of episodes were confirmed in August 2026, giving fans a clear run of dates to look forward to as the show approaches its return.
The twelve-episode second series is scheduled to begin on 12 September 2026, with six episodes airing later this year and a further six following in 2027, splitting the run neatly across two calendar years.
All cast members from the first series are due to return for series two, a decision that should offer some continuity and familiarity for viewers even as a fresh run of hosts and musical guests gets confirmed in the weeks ahead.
Sky's purchase of ITV earlier this year could see episodes air across both channels this time around too.

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Who Else Features In Market
Tom Holland and Olivia Dean occupy the middle of the market at 4/1 and 5/1 respectively, while Richard Ayoade, Romesh Ranganathan and Madonna are all bunched together at 6/1, each carrying an implied probability of 14.3%.
Steve Coogan rounds out this selection as the current outsider at 7/1.
Splitting a twelve-episode order across two years is a slightly unusual structure by UK television standards, though it does mean fans get two separate windows of new episodes to look forward to rather than one extended block.
What the expert says...
Where To Bet On SNL UK Host Odds
For those looking to get involved in the market, it's worth comparing prices across a range of betting sites, since odds on entertainment markets like this one can vary between bookmakers and shift quickly once official announcements start coming through.
Checking out some of the best entertainment betting sites is a sensible starting point for anyone newer to this type of market.





