Review of comic's post-breakup show

Now on his second live tour after making his name on the socials, Daniel Foxx says he prefers stand-up to online as it’s ‘more intimate and gossipy’ – both traits he happily embraces.

The thirtysomething has maintained certain traits from coming of age on the internet. He’s very candid about his feelings about his relationship and where it went wrong – the therapy might have helped on that front, too – yet the story he tells still feels slightly too neatly curated. 

All stand-ups do that, of course, but both the sheen and the story arc of self-acceptance in How Lovely seem more visible than they should be, even while he’s opening up about intimate emotions. 

The set-up of this show is the gap between the Richard Curtis romcom life he imagined having in London – living in a palatial zone one mansion apartment with an assortment of quirky friends leading to the perfect meet cute – and the messier, less lavish, reality.

Something seemed to work out for him, though, as he landed himself a hot boyfriend and gorgeous dog. But, the relationship got into a rut with Foxx doing the heavy lifting on domestic chores, adopting the role of either nagging wife or fussing mum, neither of which screams ‘sexy’. They split up, which led to very 21st Century, very first-world problems with the Google Home devices his ex had programmed.

This is how he found himself swimming in the shallow waters of the dating apps, one of the most talked-about topics in comedy. Foxx encounters all the clichés –  yes, he does mention in passing blokes posing with fish – though his stories of bad dates and observations of the culture are dependably amusing.

Foxx is a personable performer with presence and charm – and a touch of Joe Lycett’s endearingly light camp, that makes him a delight to listen to. A less welcome comparison is his occasional adoption of Josh Widdicombe’s habit of turning to high-pitched incredulity in place of a real punchline as he describes everyday scenarios with an outrage they don’t deserve. Foxx pretty much replays an argument he had with his ex about why he hates air-fryers, for example, with no substantial punchlines or quirky takes – it’s just a peculiar rant that doesn’t even lean into his pettiness for getting so obsessed about so little.

Elsewhere, though, he is self-effacing about his homebody personality, happy with his gardening and bookclub, while softly pining for the occasional gentleman caller.

This is mixed with a bit of smut and a lot of pop culture references – his routine about ‘romantasy’ books might be an eye-opener for those unaware of this literary genre of porn. It’s all a more back-to-basics show than his debut, Villain, having ditched the musical comedy element and the idea of having a grander thesis.

Nonetheless, he’s tagged a rather banal conclusion about learning to love himself on the end to give it form and meaning (however trite) beyond the repeated romcom motif, which is cheap but effective. It’s a charming sophomore hour, then, from a pleasing performer, albeit one yet to make his leap into something special.

• Daniel Foxx: How Lovely is on tour until November. Daniel Foxx​ tour dates

Review date: 20 Feb 2026
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett
Reviewed at: Soho Theatre