BBC Comedy On The Fringe 2011

With The Midnight Beast

More Josh Widdicombe videos

Winner of the Leicester Mercury Comedian of The Year title in 2010 and finalist in So You Think You're Funny? 2008, a few months after he started stand-up.

Josh Widdicombe: If This Show Saves One Life…
Live Review

As I write this, I’m interrupted by an email that tells me that the Malcolm Hardee awards people have shortlisted Josh Widdicombe for their ‘most likely to make a million quid’ award. It’s a prediction very hard to oppose, for if he can maintain the well-crafted, broad-appeal pedantry of this assured debut, this hangdog youngster, old beyond his years, will surely follow in the footsteps of Michael McIntyre.

His is the brand of observational comedy that’s easy to dismiss, but hard to master, taking a slightly sarcastic look at the world around him and pointing out logical flaws we never saw before. Yes, why IS a gravy boat called that?

His humour largely comes from an intractable logic, that allows him to form comebacks to irritations you never even realised were irritations, from the stupidity of Neighbourhood Watch to the service in Wagamama.

Naff leisure activities seem to be a particularly rich seam. Bowling, LaserQuest, arcade games, Madame Tussauds, narrowboat holidays and visits to the National Railway Museum in York all feature – and all fall short of what Widdicombe wants from his attractions. There seems to be a regret that he has to publically scold them for their unacceptable facets, but standards are standards.

There are some already-classic routines here; his description of Argos Extra is especially fine, revolving around a couple of fantastic jokes. In a packed set, there are a couple of flatter moments, and his collection of tacky souvenirs is overplayed, but he has a winning way with words, and the strike rate is impressively high.

His timing is spot-on, and he has nice banter with the audience, quick-thinking and engaging, but knowing when to stop. It helps counter what could be a smugness to his material, which is never far away but never actually materialises.

Yes, Widdicombe’s safe and mainstream, but he’s very good at it, as his comedy trophy cabinet will attest. Only the most steadfast curmudgeon wouldn’t find something to enjoy in this most promising of debuts.

Bloody brilliant writer. Excellent observational humour!

Don Biswas, May 2011

I think Josh deserved to win the FHM title but his 5 minute set was identical to the one that won his heat. Probably needs more time on the circuit to fully round out his act. Liam was excellent in the heats but didn't quite hit the spot in the final. Definitely worth checking out. I didn't get Nathan at all, really quite dull.

Chopper, December 2010

I thought he was utter garbage. Very weak material. Best thing about his set was how short it was.

James, September 2010

Saw him last night - very mixed bag. Laugh out loud at some points, has the makings of being top class,some excellent surreal gags: the Paddington stuff was very funny. A lot of potential, I look forward to seeing him in a year or so when he's refined the act!

Paddy, February 2009

An excellent new comedian. Definitely one to watch.

Martin Hill, September 2008