Former stockbroker who quit his lucrative professional in August 2004 to become a stand-up. Came second in the 2007 City Life competition for North-West Comedian Of The Year

Damion Larkin: Cuddly Dreamer
Live Review

My word, what a warm, fuzzy, feelgood title this is. One would almost expect something upbeat and life-affirming from a show with such a moniker. Which perhaps makes it even more painfully awkward when the whole thrust of the hour is Larkin’s miserable and at times disgusting health complaints and his sad and lonely existence.

Within minutes we have a list of symptoms and afflictions longer than a Münchausen sufferer’s wish-list. Deafness, tendonitis, migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, piles, erectile dysfunction... not to mention the eczema in his ears which he claims makes a nice snack for any ladies crazy enough to enter into a romantic tryst with him.

And they would be crazy. Larkin appears to have a very low opinion of women, he blames this on his obsession with internet porn which he claims has raised his standards to a ridiculous level. This may be one reason why he is still single. Another could be that he is still obsessed with an ex-girlfriend, whose photos he uses throughout the show.

More likely it is down to his attitude. He claims he used to be very handsome and shows us a photo declaring that he was ‘at least a 7’, now I am not one to judge people on looks but it seems to be something that Larkin has based his entire love life around so to try and win back some justice for the woman he calls a ‘fat bitch’ in his set, I should point out that he may be looking back at his younger self through rose tinted glasses.

He admits to suffering from a certain arrogance in the past but claims to have overcome that. Why, then, show us another photo of his 19-year-old self, bulging with muscles ‘for no other reason than to prove a point’? Larkin also reveals at the end of his show that it was all true, apart from the bit about is penis problems, stating he'd only been impotent twice and that was with women he didn't even fancy. He says of the ‘fat bitch’ when she questioned why his member was small that ‘even a champagne bottle looks small when smashed against the QE2. And he wonders why there is no romance in his life.

There is a hint of a comic mind here though. When you claw your way through the misogynistic, self-indulgent slurry there is the occasional glimpse of what could be. There are some well-constructed gags and some funny lines scattered amongst the puns and dead-end anecdotes. These few slivers of genuine comedy are almost enough to hold the audience’s interest but is it enough to fill an entire hour? Dream on.

Even in the incredibly awkward and misguided Q&A session at the end, which he admits to adding because he doesn't have enough material to fill his timeslot, Larkin’s arrogance is such that he seems genuinely surprised that no one is interested in asking anything of him. He pushes the point stating ‘I can't end the show until someone asks a question’ at which point we get the biggest laugh of the afternoon when an audience member finally cracks and asks the question on everyone’s mind. “Please can we leave now?”

I've see this guy about six times now and he's been brilliant every time. I know he's always trying out new stuff which can't work every time so this would explain why he's got some negative comments on here. I can also see he sometimes adopts a 'mock arrogant' persona but it's obvious to anyone who doesnt take themselves too seriously that he's only mucking about. Its comedy after all folks! My wife and I went to see his show at the Edinburgh Fringe last year and he was so good (especially bantering with the audience) that for ths first time in going up there for 11 years, we went to see it again the next day! My wife insisted on speaking to him after the second show and he was really nice - humble and funny!

Dave Johnson, May 2011

Avoid at all costs - as funny as falling of a cliff

steve, June 2010

Saw Damion here last night in Brisbane and he absolutely rocked. He came on with some notes and despite the fact he was trying some new material so he still had the whole room roaring. He was also nice enough to chat to me afterwards and far from being up himself, he was really modest and down to earth. Great comic, great bloke. Come back soon, Damion!

Brett, June 2009

I have seen Damion a few times and on each occasion he has managed to turn the room cold. I would agree with Fat Bob's comment: Damion has severe delusions of grandeur. This is a shame as some of his material was good although ruined when he started to have a go at members of the audience for no reason. He should work on winning the audience over and lose the crap attitude, if he did he would probably become the comedian he thinks he is.

Jim Beam, August 2008

Severe delusions of grandeur. Seems to be obsesses with masturbation which would explain the bottom-of-a-jam-jar glasses

fat bob, May 2008

Damion is quality. Whether he's doing his set or just generally buggering about, he's always top-notch, well worth booking and the life and soul of the proverbial party. Deserves to be big.

Jim Smallman, November 2006