On the art of stand-up

For BBC New Comedy Awards

More Lee Mack videos

Born in Blackburn and raised in Southport, Lee Mack started in comedy after a series of casual jobs, including stableboy and working in a bingo hall. His first taste of stand-up came as a Pontin's bluecoat.

His frist experience of the wider circuit came in 1994, when he did his first open mike slot while a student at Brunel University, West London. Within 18 months, he had won the So You Think You're Funny new act competition at the 1995 Edinburgh Fringe and become a full-time comedian.

In 1996, he returned to the festival as part of an ensemble show, Gagging For It, and the following year he performed the solo show Return Of The Mack. He had some level of fame by then, having hosted the Channel 4 stand-up show Gas, but found the experience of performing alone disheartening.

So in 1999, he teamed up with Catherine Tate and Dan Antopolski for the Fringe sketch show Lee Mack's Bits, and the 2000 follow-up was nominated for the Perrier. On the strength of that, Mack became one of the key players in ITV's The Sketch Show, which ran from 2001 to 2003. He was the only member of the UK cast to feature in the short-lived American remake, introduced by Kelsey Grammer, in 2004.

The following year he landed the job of host on BBC One sports quiz They Think It's All Over, taking over from Nick Hancock. But the programme was cancelled after one series with Mack in the chair.

He then moved to sitcom, premiering the traditional studio-based Not Going Out on BBC One in October 2006, at a time when that style was thought to be dead. The show returned for a second series in September 2007 and a third in January 2009. It has won Rose d'Or and Royal Television Society awards.

Mack is also a team captain on the BBC One panel show Would I Lie To You?

Original Review:

There was a time, you suspect, when all comics were like Lee Mack. Jolly chaps ­ 'always cheeky, never blue' to use his catchphrase ­ bantering and joshing their way around the nation's music halls.

Perhaps it's all the grainy footage of bygone stars, or later revivals like The Good Old Days, but there's something warmly reassuring in this approach. In an era when stand-up tends to be defined by aloofness, arrogance and sneering, Mack stands apart for his relentless determination to have fun, to make a mockery of everything, no matter if he's the one who ends up looking the fool.

The good humour comes across as entirely natural, and marvellously infectious. His closest comedy ancestor has to be Eric Morecambe ­ and while they are impossible specs to fill, Mack's playfulness the closest anyone's come for quite some while. It's because, like Eric, this is comedy with a good heart.

Though his style is old-fashioned, Mack puts a modern spin on his act. There's no resort to creaky old puns or tired pat gags; instead he keeps his material fresh and funny. The jokes are well-crafted and they keep coming thick and fast, offering no let-up until the audience succumb. And it's hard to imagine one that wouldn't surrender very quickly.

Mischievous, hyperactive, impish ­ there's clearly something of the cheeky child in Mack, which is what makes him almost impossible to dislike. Combine that with his determination that the gag ­ not some posturing attitude or trite platitude ­ is always king, and you have the elusive star quality.

Already a guaranteed audience-pleaser, it surely won't be long before everyone knows Mack's name.

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I saw Lee a few times this year I think he is absolutely fantastic. Love him heaps xx

Sam, December 2010

Saw Lee at Hammersmith on Monday - so good. He is such a naturally funny man. His warm up guy on the other hand was terrible. Not funny but racist, sexist and boring.Get rid Lee if you want any advice.

Laura Knox, May 2010

Great show last night in Liverpool. Lee Mack is great!

Stephen Dunn, May 2010

I also saw lee in buxton, it was fantastic, I was the one that told him that he left muddy footprints on stage

sambo, March 2010

I saw Lee at Buxton and I thought he was fantastic. Extremely funny, great participation with the audience especially the start where he locked a member of the audience up in a box like a magic trick! He obviously researches the local area and includes this in his jokes. I would advise everyone to go and see Lee. A great, fun night which still makes me laugh now thinking of his jokes.

Fan of Comedy, March 2010

One of the best northern comedians EVER! Very talented

Daisy Shaun, March 2010

Lee Mack was brilliant at Cardiff last night. The show was full of new material. Lee does a lot of audience participation during the show which illustrates how skilful a comedian he is. He has a warmth and personality that draws the audience in- which allows him to get away with some risky jokes. Lee discusses the venues and the location of the gig in a funny and unique way. He has the energy of Lee Evans. The audience banter of Stephen K Amos. He also reminds me of Eric Morecambe. Lee depends on audience participation more than the other comics which makes each of his shows so unique. Even though I have compared Lee to some great comedians lets not forget he is totally unique in his delivery of material, style of jokes . I would definitely go and see him again. ***** (and that is not a a swear word)!

Jonathan Fry, Cardiff, February 2010

I want to marry lee. he is that funny xx

karon, September 2009

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