Hello. I write, produce and develop comedy and comedy drama for television and film. And I write and perform funny (and sometimes heart-wrenchingly poignant) songs. Have a read of my Foot in the Door blog where I remember some of the stupid things I’ve done in my media career; you might find it useful. Thanks for having a look.
The lovely series I produce with my good friend, Michael Spicer, starts tomorrow. It’s a real joy to make – funny, warm and original – so do listen. If you haven’t heard series one then it is still on BBC Sounds, so click this underlined bit to find it and listen.
Series Two starts 15th December at 11pm with episode one featuring a guest appearance by Sanjeev Bhaskar alongside regulars, Ellie Taylor, Joanna Neary, Jamie Borthwick, Alison Ward, Greig Johnson, Jason Forbes and Peter Curran.
Michael’s wife Roberta also makes a cameo, even though Ellie plays her in the show. It will all make sense. If you listen.
The podcast I’ve made with the incredible Michael Spicer is now available on all your podcasting platforms. And it seems to have been very well received, which is lovely. Do have a listen. It’s short…
I’m sure it was only empty because of the pandemic. Thanks to Sky Sports who filmed with the campaign last month and kindly gave me the full footage to share. Do keep buying and streaming the song on Spotify etc…
This song was written soon after I heard the story of Jack Leslie, who should have been England’s first black footballer in 1925. It lead to me setting up The Jack Leslie Campaign with my friend and fan Greg Foxsmith. We want to build a statue of Jack and tell his story which has, for many terrible reasons, become very timely.
This song was written soon after I heard the story of Jack Leslie, who should have been England’s first black footballer in 1925. It lead to me setting up The Jack Leslie Campaign with my friend and fan Greg Foxsmith. We want to build a statue of Jack and tell his story which has, for many terrible reasons, become very timely.
As events have shone a light on us I have rushed out the song with the official release date in a few weeks time, but it is available on Bandcamp now with all proceeds going to the campaign…
As predictable as the bile filled response to a nuanced social media post, I have hastily recorded a tune for our times. Including croaky vocals (don’t worry, I’m either fine or asymptomatic) absolutely free.
This is a massive undertaking and a hugely worthy cause that a great group of people (and me) are launching soon, so let me be serious for a second. Jack Leslie was a Plymouth Argyle player who in 1925 was told he’d been selected for England. But FA officials apparently then came to have a closer look at him and when they found out he was black his name mysteriously disappeared from the team sheet.
I have written a song to support the campaign, of course. I’ve played it live and people seem to like it even though it is, like the cause, entirely serious. It will be unintentionally hilarious if this is the song that gains wider attention than any of my attempts at comedy. But I’ll be happy if it helps raise a few extra quid.
The end of 2019 was pretty nuts for me in mostly good ways but meant I did have to cancel the final gig of my little autumn tour in Nottingham. My sincere apologies to that fair city. It’s somewhere I’ve always enjoyed gigging and I knew there were some lovely people coming but sometimes life decides that you cannot go to Nottingham and must reschedule. I’ve not yet rescheduled but I promise you Nottingham, as The Terminator once said, ‘I shall be back.’
But I did manage a few other gigs; two private parties and a corporate appearance at a healthcare conference. These bookings kinda came by chance and through recommendations, which was lovely, and definitely helped my Christmas fund. They were really good fun — even the one the day after the election for a group of left-wing lawyers. We all needed cheering up and, while I’m not saying I planted a seed of eternal optimism in their hearts, I think I helped.
One thing I love doing is writing a song for an event and people seem to really enjoy them. So, if you have an event coming up and want something funny, occasionally poignant, heartfelt and bespoke then give me a shout.
And here’s a pic of me playing in a room above a pub last year. (The final performance of my very enjoyable tour with the brilliant MJ Hibbett at the home of his Totally Acoustic gigs, The King and Queen in London).
I’m out and about doing a bunch of gigs where I’ll be playing all the ridiculous love songs I’ve written recently (including this and more to come if I get my act together). The tour starts in London at The Lucky Pig in Fitzrovia on 17th September and all the details are on my gigs page. I’ve got some great people joining me – the brilliant Gavin Osborn and Simon Allen in Bath on 9th October and Phil Davies in Manchester on 19th. Hope to see you at one of the shows…
2pm: The Box, Tavistock Pl, Plymouth PL4 8AX
Greg Foxsmith and I talk about Jack Leslie, the campaign and The Lion Who Never Roared.
FREE event as part of Plymouth Community History Festival. Book your spot here.
