Comedian dies at 72

Kevin McCarron, one of the co-founders of the Laughing Horse chain of comedy nights, has died at the age of 72.

He set up the clubs – which went on to run the Free Festival network at the Edinburgh Fringe as well as ventures at Australian festivals– with Alex Petty and Robert Henry Lee in the late 1990s. He would be a regular compere at the nights which gave many comedians some of their first gigs.

McCarron, who stepped away from the Laughing Horse a decade ago, died in his nursing home on Saturday.

Writing on Facebook, Petty said: ‘I  was told it was very sudden, and in the comfortable space of his nursing home that he’d been in since earlier in the year. I know he wanted it to be like that, rather than back in hospital so I’m thankful, at least, he got that wish.

‘It was great to see him so much over May, visiting him in his care home regularly with many friends and comedians, and knowing how much he enjoyed everyone visiting. Still totally on the ball, enjoying the company, cracking jokes, getting his views across, while of course enjoying reading and correcting the nurses’ punctuation. Now that was a very Kev way to get a laugh.’

McCarron had been suffering a long illness and was unable to speak by that point, communicating by pen and paper.

Petty also told how the Laughing Horse came about, writing: ‘I’ve known [McCarron] since 1998, when Robert Henry Lee and myself walked into his comedy night in Kingston, Rob doing an open mic spot and Kevin co-running and compering. Through that we started running Laughing Horse and becoming best of friends. 

‘Through the best of times and a few dodgy, with him being a brilliant comic, and compere which he always cherished doing in a show more than anything. The most important act on the bill, we agreed. I think there [are] enough stories to fill a dozen books, and at least a thousand comics who he helped on their comedy careers and have a stack of stories too.

‘[It] certainly changed my life hugely for the better with everything we did, then through his comedy retirement and more recent re-appearance in Brighton, when he was gigging right up to the end of Brighton Fringe last year, days before he ended up in hospital.’ 

Lee also paid tribute, saying:  ‘We had so many great nights together out drinking till the sun came up. So many great stories to tell. A fantastic comic, we gigged in some great places together and we also done some absolute dives.’

And in reference to one of McCarron’s routines, he added: ‘Now to figure out how to get a bench dedicated in your name. Of course with the inscription saying "he used to love sitting here admiring all the other f### ing benches".’

Comedians also lined up to pay tribute.

Brighton-based Alex Petrovic called him 'an incredibly clever, kind and funny person,’ adding: ‘The way we met probably sums up what Kev was like. I was putting on a birthday gig because I wanted some stage time before another show. We didn’t know each other then, but he came along anyway to support the night and wish me a happy birthday. That always stayed with me. It was such a simple act of kindness, but it was completely in keeping with how generous and supportive he was to other comics in Brighton.’

Sean Brightman said: ‘He always struck me as being there for the love of it more than anything else. And sharp as a razor blade, with a wit that made you glad he wasn’t your potential father in law, at least for the first few dates!’

James Dowdeswell wrote: 'Kev was a great guy and generous of spirit. Let’s hope he’s MCing the party in the sky, then nipping off to a rave somewhere afterwards.’

Originally from New Zealand, McCarron  was also an academic – a reader in American Literature at the University of Roehampton –   and taught stand-up courses alongside his more formal job. 

He’d regularly MC the Laughing Horse’s new act competition, which ran from 2001 to 2018, giving early career boost to winners including Greg Davies, Russell Kane, Bobby Mair, Sofie Hagen and Janine Harouni.

Published: 29 Jun 2026