Comedy icon and SNL stalwart Tina is the first host to present the show to audiences, whilst Jamie Dornan and Riz Ahmed have also been confirmed as upcoming hosts.

The 75-minute episode showcases Wet Leg as the first musical guest, with Wolf Alice and Kasabian set to follow in subsequent episodes.

"I am so excited for you to meet your cast, they are wonderful," Tina told the audience, before promising to "stay out of their way tonight as much as possible".

Viewers were divided as opening skit played out, with many complaining about the amount of laughter coming from the crowd. Some even wondered if it was canned, but this is not the case, as the show is filmed in front of a live studio audience.

"Are they seriously doing canned laughter on SNLUK?" one person asked on X (Twitter), as another quizzed: "Surely that laughter isn't real on Saturday Night Love UK?"

A third asked: "Hang on? Is this laughter canned? It surely can’t be. But the audience is being weirdly compliant."

"The audience need to calm down a bit," another person advised, while one more suggested it was a technical issue, adding: "The laugh track is leveled/mixed wrong and it’s annoying me… "

However, other fans shared their appreciation for the show, with one writing: "Was so critical about the idea of SNLUK. 2 minutes in and I’m cryin."

"Unpopular opinion: Saturday Night Live UK will be considered a great success this time next year," a second penned.

"Got to admit, I did get a bit giddy at 'Live from London, it’s Saturday Night Live!'" another commented, as one more person enthused: "I'm loving the opening sequence."

Saturday Night Live UK debuted tonight on Sky and streaming service Now at 10pm. It was initially planned for just six episodes but secured an extension prior to launch, meaning it will now air every Saturday for the next eight weeks.

The entertainment programme includes a mixture of sketch comedy, stand-up and live music, similar to its US equivalent.

The show also reflects its American predecessor with an opening monologue and signature segments such as the Weekend Update, hosted by Colin Jost and Michael Che in the US.

Saturday Night Live, devised by Lorne Michaels, is a television institution in the United States and originally launched in 1975.

Tina Fey featured on the sketch programme from 1997 to 2006, and based her acclaimed comedy series 30 Rock on her experiences working on the show.

The UK roster of comedians features numerous major names from the comedy circuit alongside some emerging talent. The star-studded cast features Hammed Animashaun, Ania Magliano, Emma Sidi, Celeste Dring, Ayoade Bamgboye, Larry Dean, George Fouracres, Annabel Marlow, Al Nash, Jack Shep, and Paddy Young.

Scriptwriters for the programme include Charlie Skelton from 8 Out of 10 Cats, Stath Lets Flats actor and comedian Al Roberts, and Bella Hull from Have I Got News For You.

James Longman, the lead producer, commented on the launch: "The UK is absolutely packed with incredible comedy talent right now and this cast represents the freshest voices we have, they're bold, exciting and of course, incredibly funny.

"The chemistry between them is something special and we can't wait to share this funny group of people with the world."

Phil Edgar Jones, executive director of Unscripted Originals at Sky, stated: "We all need a laugh like never before, so we're beyond excited to bring Saturday Night Live to the UK, only 50 short years after it first launched in the US.

"The show's long-standing legacy of discovering and nurturing outstanding comedy talent speaks for itself, and this UK version will build on that legacy with the support of Lorne Michaels, a brilliant local production team, and an exciting new generation of voices. Saturday nights are looking bright!"

Saturday Night Live UK is available to watch on Sky and Now TV on Saturdays at 10pm.