Five Funny Facebook Friends

Comedy At The Stand in Newcastle

Well, actually it’s six but fancied a fairly alliterative title. These are all comedians I have seen at the Stand in Newcastle (and other places) and to be quite honest, I enjoy watching them a lot more than most of the people you see on television, but maybe it's because they actually talk to me. I am just gonna say a little about them and where I first saw them.

All these do lots for charity, are incredibly supportive, and if you ever get the chance to go and see any of these, go and see them. Far better than spending thirty quid on a Michael McIntyre Arena ticket, and you will also be able to buy yourself a drink.

Louise Young

I first saw Louise supporting Raul Koli at The Stand, and was majorly impressed with her. I then was sure I had seen her at the bar in No 28 in The Grainger Market in Newcastle, so I went up to her and asked if she was Loise Young, the rather excellent comedian (or should that be comedienne) I had seen at The Stand. We chatted for a short time as we walked back to our tables and she was fine with us being Facebook friends.

Simon Donald

Simon Donald is a co-founder of the magazine Viz , which when I came up to Newcastle was a very rude and funny comic. It has turned into a veritable publishing empire with some unforgettable characters and spin offs. Follow the link to find out more , but not for prim and proper people.

I have never spoken directly with Simon , though we chat on Facebook at times. I suppose you could count the time he berated me when he was in character as Barry Twyford at The Stand one time, but that’s the only time I can think of.

Steffen Peddie

Steffen is a school friend of my good friend Ange and have seen a couple of gigs of his . I first saw him as “Big Keith” in the Chris Ramsey (Strictly Come Dancing star) series “Hebburn” (which also starred Jim Moir / Vic Reeves) and is set just off the South Tyneside Metro .

At one gig Steffen said he would answer any question. I asked him why negative numbers can’t have a square root . He took me down for wearing double denim.

I met the burlesque dancer, DJ , ex helicopter pilot Khandie Kisses at one of his gigs , a lovely lady and then got her and the Reverend Richard Coles (ex Communards) to become Twitter acquaintances.

He is a great guy and hosts a show nightly on Radio Newcastle.

Raul Kohli

My friend Jon recommended that I see this guy who introduced himself as the “Newcastle Brown Male”. We went along and unexpectedly Paul Gascoigne turned up with a young lady and was very friendly and convivial with everyone offering to buy drinks. Raul was worried and thought Paul had mistaken him for Raul Moat and wondered where his KFC was.

John Scott

I first saw John Scott MCing for John Cooper-Clarke at the O2 Academy in Newcastle and was very impressed with his cat and crowd interaction. I then spent ages trying to track him down and eventually got to meet him at various gigs. He is a really great guy and available on YouTube but very funny in person.

I often see him in the street in Edinburgh as well as Newcastle.

Gavin Webster

Gavin is a real Geordie , acidic , sweary and an incredibly intelligent and funny comedian. He has appeared on radio and TV and went completely against his normal type playing a wonderfully sympathetic part in the Ken Loach film “I Daniel Blake”.

I am not so sure what sketch to share, “Pandas” or “Gateshead Council Third Reich” both incredibly funny, but both on YouTube if you look.