Cult horror writer Garth Marenghi returns to our screens on tonight’s episode of The Russell Howard Hour Christmas Special reading a passage from his terrifying festive horror novel. this is claimed to be his first tv appearance in over 15 years.

Marenghi is the creation of Matthew Holness and is best known for his involvement in the cult Channel 4 comedy Darkplace, which also featured early screen appearances from Matt Berry, Richard Ayoade and Alice Lowe.

Master of the macarbre Marenghi has recently returned to the public consciousness with the publication of his new book, TerrorTome. An official synopsis on the book explains: “When horror writer Nick Steen gets sucked into a cursed typewriter by the terrifying Typeface, Dark Lord of the Prolix, the hellish visions inside his head are unleashed for real. Forced to fight his escaping imagination – now leaking out of his own brain – Nick must defend the town of Stalkford from his own fictional horrors, including avascular-necrosis-obsessed serial killer Nelson Strain and Nick’s dreaded throppleganger, the Dark Third.

Marenghi will also be doing a tour in 2023. Details here.

Alongside Garth’s appearance, Russell Howard takes a look back at 2022 in news. 

The Russell Howard Hour Christmas Special, Thursday, December 15, 10pm, Sky Max.

Watch a new clip of Garth Marenghi below