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Simon has been a regular at the Glee for the last few years, his explosive brand of comedy has seen him tear the roof off virtually every comedy club either side of the Atlantic.
As a fifteen-year-old Liverpudlian schoolboy, Simon Bligh was told by his headmaster that he would go to hell. His mum wanted him to be a priest; he wanted to be a plumber. His dad was a mad Catholic Communist; he was a Kung Fu mad Buddhist. Growing Up in Toxteth, his childhood was odd, but full of strange passion. Philosophy and Zen, leather trousers and motorbikes. Japan, unarmed combat and stand up comedy. The young Simon loved comedy and, upon seeing a Richard Pryor film in an empty Manchester cinema, he realised his true calling. He knew he should be a comedian. Faced with this revelation, there followed a decade of travelling, teaching and trying to pluck up the courage to ring for open spots. Finally, he did it. He hasn’t looked back since.
Ten years on, Simon is one of the finest, most accomplished performers in this country, and beyond. A regular host at The Comedy Store, he has appeared al over the world. In places as diverse as Dubai, Hong Kong, America, Malaysia, Germany and France. In Thailand he had the honour of appearing with a donkey called Tony. Spring 1999 saw him representing the cream of British talent, taking his message to Australia, as he co-headlined ‘The Cutting Edge of British Comedy’. In Ireland he is especially popular, as a good, messed up, lapsed Catholic boy.
A Perrier nominee, Time Out Award Winner and the proud recipient of two table tennis –trophies, Simon also has a host of TV and Radio credits. These include : The Stand Up Show (BBC), Saturday Live (ITV), The Graham Norton Show (Ch 4), and The Comedy Store (Ch 5). He has recently completed his own pilot for Channel 4, and has had a pilot broadcast on Ch 5, entitled Animal Madness. Having just completed hosting the second series of Four at the Store for BBC Radio 4, Simon has already been invited back to host the third.
The first summer of the new millennium sees Simon returning to the Edinburgh Festival, aiming to repeat his previous sell out success. He is currently working religiously on a new show, provocatively entitled, ‘Zips, Whips and the Bloody Chains of Christ’. His headmaster may yet be right.
What the papers say….
‘Superb muscle man of comedy’ The Guardian
‘A Genius’ New Musical Express
‘Very funny, recommended’ The Independent
‘Always funny, a blazing talent’ Time Out
‘A manic wide-eyed crazed funnyman’ The Evening Standard
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