As half of UK men lean on alcohol for a laugh - Tom Rosenthal backs the Dry January® challenge

• New data suggests nearly half of UK men (48%) believe they are funnier when drinking alcohol, but behind the bravado lies regret and concern

• Alcohol Change UK teams up with comedian Tom Rosenthal to host a one-off comedy night 'Funny AF', with tickets up for grabs via the Try Dry® app

New research from Alcohol Change UK reveals that many UK men rely on alcohol to feel and bring the funny.

According to the survey, nearly half of UK men who drink (48%)¹ think they are funnier when drinking alcohol, and almost as many (45%)² believe alcohol positively impacts their sense of humour.

While many UK blokes appear to lean on booze for a laugh, the data highlights deeper reasons among this group for drinking alcohol. Almost four in 10 (39%)³ men who drink report that booze helps them feel more able to connect with others, with just 9% having an alcohol-free night out in the last 12 months. This points to ingrained drinking cultures and alcohol-centric socialising that may be influencing men’s drinking habits.

Yet, behind the bravado, three in ten male drinkers (28%)³ say they’ve felt regret about something they did or said while drinking in the past 12 months, while many are feeling the knock-on impact of their drinking habits. Over a third (35%)³ report growing concern about the long-term damage their alcohol consumption may be doing to them, with the areas of their lives they believe are most negatively affected by booze including their physical health, fitness and routine, appearance, energy levels, and sleep⁴.

Talking about the link between blokes, booze and banter, Dr Richard Piper, CEO at Alcohol Change UK said:

“It appears men in the UK are conflicted: many of us have been sold the myth that alcohol is needed to have a laugh and connect with others, but we also have very real concerns about our alcohol consumption. The first isn’t a surprise, because clever marketing from alcohol companies suggests that alcohol is essential to our social lives or our enjoyment of life.

“TV ads, shop displays and social media content are endlessly pushing the idea that booze = fun, booze = banter, booze = good times. Of course, many of us will have fun nights and experiences when alcohol is involved, but how many of us have tried doing this without booze and all the risks that it brings? This is what the Dry January® challenge is all about - experimenting and doing all the things we’d usually do, such as going out with mates to the pub or seeing a live comedy show, just without relying on the booze. It is incredibly liberating to discover that we can have just as much, if not more, fun without alcohol, while bringing big benefits to our health, wallet and wellbeing.”

To help the nation to experience what a month off alcohol can do for their minds, bodies and bank balances without sacrificing their sense of humour, Alcohol Change UK has partnered with award-winning comedian and actor Tom Rosenthal to counter the myth that booze is essential to having a laugh. On Tuesday 20 January, Tom will host a one-off comedy night bringing all the tickle and none of the pickle, supported by Lucky Saint, the Official Beer of the Dry January® challenge. Tom will be supported by an exciting line up of sober, sober-curious and supportive comics including Rory O’Hanlon, Michael Akadiri and Liam Withnail.

Tom said:

“I’ve drunk my fair share of alcohol, and while it can be good for a laugh, the science is settled that it’s bad for basically everything else. Given that there are many ways to have fun without poisoning yourself (hello croquet!), I’m thrilled to host the Funny AF comedy night - a night you can enjoy without then suffering the morning-after hangxiety of a vague sense you insulted somebody or creeping feeling you're wasting your life.

“Should you so wish, you can also join me in smashing your alcohol-free streak throughout January with the Try Dry® app, which will allow you to feel superior not only because you’re going sober, but also because you have an app.

“I hope we can reach men my age and older, because it seems young people are figuring out that alcohol is actually a bit crap on their own. So come on guys slowly accepting they’ll never make it as a pro footballer - come and sample some of the finest non-alcoholic drinks money can buy whilst watching some distilled, 0% proof jokes. Ex-footballers also welcome.”

With 70% of men in the UK saying their lives would be dull without humour, and humour alone (38%) being just as effective at boosting mood as alcohol is (36%)² - this year’s Dry January® challenge is calling on them to ditch the drink, rid the hangover and have a healthier, happier and joyful start to 2026.

Jay is in his mid-40s and over a decade alcohol-free. He said:

“I used to think alcohol and having a laugh went hand in hand and that if I stopped drinking, I’d stop laughing. An idea itself that is completely laughable. Joking and banter were always my go-to defence mechanisms for drinking too - rather than admitting I was struggling and being honest about the problems I was facing, I’d laugh them off, make a quick quip and move on to the next drink. I know that quitting isn’t for everyone, and there's no denying I had many a laugh while drunk, but the laughs have got much louder and last longer without alcohol. I have a life full of laughter and unlike in my drinking days, I can remember the good times and be present for them.”

For a chance to win tickets for you and a plus one to the Funny AF comedy night hosted by Tom Rosenthal this January, download the Try Dry® app and enter now before 9 January 2026. For more information, visit dryjanuary.org.uk.