Stand-up, and promoter of Manchester's XS Malarkey club, for which he won the Chortle Award for best offstage contribution in 2008.

He was nominated for best compere in the 2012 Chortle Awards.

Toby Hadoke: Fringe 2012
Live Review
Gilded Balloon Teviot

After spending so much of his childhood glued to Dr Who, Toby Hadoke was  told that such a frivolous obsession would get him nowhere. How wrong they were.

In 2006 he turned his obsession into a Fringe show, Moths Ate My Doctor Who Scarf. It was perfectly timed for the series’ comeback, when so many secret Whovians came out of the closet (it was bigger on the inside than it on the outside, see) that he became a cheerleader for fellow fans, and invited to perform all over the world.

So no wonder he is tempted to return to the subject – and, as before, he uses the Timelord’s adventures as a parallel for other aspects of his life and relationships. You don’t have to have watched a single episode to understand the show, though it adds a couple of extra laughs if you have.

‘Doctor Who is the only thing that has ever made me truly happy,’ the affable Hadoke tells us. Which must really delight his three sons, including Ethan – his new stepson, acquired after he finally married his childhood best friend.

This show is about how he reached out to Ethan, who is deaf, through the medium of his biggest passion. Hadoke is evangelical about the programme, and literally becomes red-faced with excitement as he gushes out the plot of a single episode. His knowledge of the subject is encyclopaedic, and he’ll get genuinely animated about such heresies as the suggestion that it’s just a kids’ show, or that Paul McGann was not a valid eighth Doctor.

What annoys him more, though, are when the programme itself doesn’t live up to his expectations, and has particular distain for the Meglos episodes.

There is humour in the sheer extent of his infatuation for the subject, but he also  sprinkles the story with jokes. These are almost all of the comparative format, like ‘That’s such a bad idea, it’s like going to Boris Johnson’s barber for a haircut…’ Some of these are pretty funny, but the formula becomes repetitive, and Hadoke could do with more variety in the style.

The compelling story, though, keeps you listening. Hadoke is especially keen to foster a good relationship with Ethan as he felt abandoned by his own father, and is keen to avoid the same mistakes. It is a tale of communication, either via the sign language Hadoke is learning or the more silent understanding over a shared episode.

It’s got heart this show… heck, it’s probably got two.  Hadoke opens up with an engaging candour and comes  across as a flawed but well-intentioned chap trying to mature but not quite prepared to abandon a lifelong obsession. A lot of man-children – and those who have to live with them – can probably relate.

Another excellent evening at XS Malarkey last night, brilliantly compered by Toby who came out with some fantastic lines (the one involving drama students and millinery being my favourite). And note to self - must read Gulliver's Travels!

Dave, October 2011

Brilliantly funny as the compare of XS Malarkey.

Kerri Leigh, March 2011

Having watched Moths Ate My 'Doctor Who' Scarf earlier this year, I was greatly excited about getting the opportunity to see Toby Hadoke's follow up show, and was not disappointed. This is a heartfelt look at how it was as a thirty-something growing up watching the best television of its time. Through Toby's childhood memories, the audience gets to live those moments again when we would sit in front of the TV after escaping from school for another day and taking in the adventures of Zammo and friends, and pressing our eyes against the screen to catch site of our contributions to Tony Hart. But, worry not, those young 'uns out there, because this show will appeal to you as much as it will of people of a certain age, Toby has a gift of making all his material relatable to his entire audience. But even more than reminding us of the TV days of years gone by, Toby reflects on the difficulties in growing up a little different, and how TV (and primarily the BBC) relates to how we see the world. Toby provides a compelling argument against all the naysayers who continue to attack the BBC. . You'll leave the show feeling pumped, contented and ready to burn any copies of the Daily Mail or Sun that you find in the street. I apologise in advance for any misplaced apostrophes.

Andrew McKie, August 2010

Toby Hadoke is an absolute gem! His weekly night at XS Malarkey in Manchester is a must and, unlike a few other nights in Manchester, provides a supportive atmosphere for the comedians (there is rarely a heckle) and is also a bargain. Hadoke as a compere engages wonderfully with crowd and makes you feel truly at home. On top of that, he manages to draw in some of the best comedy talent around (Robin Ince and John Gordillo have both made appearances this year). Toby Hadoke's Moths ate My Doctor Who Scarf' is excellent. A heartfelt look at the influence of the (previously) much lampooned series on his life and an education to those who don't know, as to why the show is so much better than some of its old press may suggest. Interwoven with this are numerous top gags and an insight into Toby's relationship with his son (which almost brings a tear to the eye! See Jason Cook's shows for similar).

Alex, June 2008