Tom Rosenthal Backs Dry January 2026 for Alcohol Change UK

Tom Rosenthal Backs Dry January: "Banter Without the Booze"

As millions across the country hit the "reset" button this year, Friday Night Dinner and Plebs star Tom Rosenthal has officially put his weight behind Dry January 2026.Working in partnership with Alcohol Change UK, the comedian is using his platform to challenge the long-held British myth that alcohol is a necessary ingredient for a good laugh.

Rosenthal, who recently became a father and became engaged, has been vocal about his own evolving relationship with alcohol, describing his decision to support the campaign as an effort to "redress the balance" in a culture often dominated by drinking.

Funny AF: Sobriety on Center Stage

To mark the month, Rosenthal hosted a one-off comedy event titled Funny AF at The Lucky Saint, a famous alcohol-free pub in London.The night featured a lineup of sober and sober-curious comics, including Rory O’Hanlon and Michael Akadiri, aimed specifically at supporting those taking on the 31-day challenge.

The event was inspired by recent research from Alcohol Change UK, which revealed a striking "humour gap" in British men:

• 48% of UK men believe they are funnier when they have been drinking.

• 45% believe alcohol has a positive impact on their sense of humor.

• 39% report that booze is their primary tool for connecting with others.

"It is a fantastically male quirk to assume that because we’ve had a few pints we are suddenly wittier," Rosenthal noted. "The reality is we are actually just louder. I’m thrilled to prove that you can have all the banter without the booze—and without the 'hangxiety' the next morning."

A Personal Shift in Perspective

For Rosenthal, backing Dry January isn't just about a single month of abstinence; it’s about a broader lifestyle shift.The actor admitted that his university years established heavy drinking as a "costume" he wore, but as he has aged, he has found himself enjoying alcohol less and less.

"The sober version of me is better for my family," he shared, noting that while he doesn't necessarily claim to be teetotal, he now views alcohol as an "occasional existential relief" rather than a habitual social requirement.He famously cited 0.0% Guinness and cranberry juice as his current go-to replacements.

The 2026 "Zebra Striping" Trend

Rosenthal's advocacy comes at a time when moderation is becoming mainstream. Data from 2025 and early 2026 shows that "zebra striping"—the practice of alternating between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks during a night out—has risen to include 34% of UK adults.

By lending his face to the campaign, Rosenthal joins a growing list of public figures who are decoupling the "lad culture" image from heavy drinking. As his new tour, Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I Am, kicks off across the UK and Ireland this February, the comedian is proving that his sharpest observational humor comes from a place of total clarity.

Source - https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/fyi/991/tom-rosenthal-backs-dry-january-app-try-dry/

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