Fundraiser for comic forced to retire on health grounds

Junior Simpson has retired from stand-up having been diagnosed with vascular dementia.

The condition –  caused by reduced blood flow to the brain – comes after the 62-year-old suffered a number of strokes. 

Colleagues on the comedy circuit have rallied to contribute to a crowdfunder to support him, raising more than £13,000 in under 24 hours.

The fundraiser was set up by Peter Vincent of Manford's Comedy Club. He wrote on the crowdfunding page: ‘If there’s one thing the comedy circuit has always done brilliantly, it’s look after its own. Junior has given so much to this industry over the years. Now it’s our turn to show up for him and his family.’

A benefit gig is also being organised by Simpson's wife Emma and  comedian Adam Bloom.

Fellow comics expressed their shock online and offered their services to the fundraising show..

Among them were Phil Walker, who posted: ‘So sad to hear this, shared many a bill all over the globe with Junior over the years, what a great guy. 

Mike Milligan wrote: ‘That’s so sad - so many fab memories of sharing green rooms and villas on Cyprus with him . Top act and top bloke. Wishing him all the possible best.’

John Fothergill said: ‘Oh no that’s awful. Junior is the sweetest of guys and a true gent.’

And Carl Hutchinson posted: ‘He really went to bat for me after I died on my arse [at] Sway Jongleurs. The other comics wouldn’t speak to me - you don’t forget when people are that nice to you. Awful news.’

Simpson married singer Emma Ruth in May 2022 and he has two daughters.

He has worked on the circuit for decades and has TV credits stretching back to trailblazing 1990 sketch show The Real McCoy and also including They Think It's All Over, Lily Savage's Blankety Blank, Richard & Judy, Never Mind The Buzzcocks and The 11 O'Clock Show.

He has also been an actor in shows including Love Actually – where he played a wedding DJ – Death in Paradise and Casualty.

He got his role in Love Actually when Richard Curtis saw his stand-up set at at Brixton Academy, in which he joked about the lack of diversity in Notting Hill. Last year he told The Sun: ‘Being in the hit movie was a huge honour. I had no idea it would turn out to be such a massive hit. I still get recognised now – people often come up and ask for selfies.'

Vascular dementia affects around 180,000 people in the UK, according to the NHS. 

There's currently no cure for vascular dementia and there's no way to reverse any loss of brain cells that happened before the condition was diagnosed. But treatment can sometimes help slow down vascular dementia.

The NHS says: ‘Although treatment can help, vascular dementia can significantly shorten life expectancy. But this is highly variable, and many people live for several years with the condition, or die from some other cause.’

Published: 3 Mar 2026