Comedian and actor David Mitchell has defended ‘mansplaining’ insisting it’s just what men call conversation.

The 51-year-old said there was an ‘unfairness’ to the phrase because men also ‘do it to each other’.

The comedian told the Sunday Times: ‘I feel there’s an unfairness to the term mansplaining, which is taken to be men explaining things in a boring way to women.

‘Because they do it to each other and they take turns, and that’s what men call a conversation.’

Speaking alongside long-term comedy partner Robert Webb, 52, from Peep Show, Mitchell added that male friendships often revolve around what he calls ‘a little mutual explain’, politely lecturing each other rather than discussing personal feelings.

Webb admitted the pair rarely even spoke about Mitchell’s relationship with broadcaster wife Victoria Coren when it began in 2007.

Comedian and actor David Mitchell (above) has defended ‘mansplaining’ insisting it’s just what men call conversation

Speaking alongside long-term comedy partner Robert Webb (left), Mitchell added that male friendships often revolve around what he calls ‘a little mutual explain’

Webb admitted the pair rarely even spoke about Mitchell’s relationship with broadcaster wife Victoria Coren (above) when it began in 2007

The interview follows news that Mitchell’s comedy series Outsiders has been shelved after three years.

Broadcast on Dave from 2021 to 2023, the show thrust comedians into post-apocalyptic scenarios to test their survival skills.

Mitchell described his role as ‘a slightly befuddled, irascible and indecisive leader’, but told producers he was ‘too busy’ to film further series.

UKTV executives confirmed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival: ‘It is not currently returning and we have announced that. Would we look at that show again in the future? Maybe. Not currently. He loved doing it. We loved working with him. 

‘We definitely would be interested in other ideas with David Mitchell… He is a stunning piece of talent.’

Although Outsiders has been ditched, Mitchell is enjoying success in the BBC crime drama Ludwig, starring as a puzzle enthusiast who assumes the identity of his police detective brother to solve his disappearance.

The first season drew an impressive 9.5 million viewers, and a second series is now in production.