UKIP campaign against comedy duo backfires

A campaign by the United Kingdom Independence Party to try and hinder the comedy group Jonny & The Baptists performing their show The Stop UKIP Tour has backfired, as the publicity generated has resulted in the duo announcing additional tour dates.

Despite party leader Nigel Farage having previously said politicians should 'let people tell their jokes', the organisation's deputy leader Paul Nuttall has tried to rally support around condemning the show. Writing on the UKIP website, the North West based MP said: "This blatantly party political rubbish is being staged to coincide with the run-up to the Euro elections in May and I am appalled that one of the venues in the much lauded Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester. I would have hoped they had higher standards than giving this show house room."

Complaining that the show is backed by the Arts Council, Nuttall added: "Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and UKIP is very much the party of free speech but I think it is wrong that taxpayers money is being used to back this production. It does, of course, show just how much left wing supporters are getting extremely worried about the growing success of UKIP. We wouldn't be under attack from these musical comedians unless we were proving a threat to the established order."

The party's reaction to the tour has generated much publicity, with reports published in national press including The Mirror, Observer and Daily Mail and comedians including Marcus Brigstocke and Dara O Briain tweeting their support for the comedians, singer Jonathan Donahoe and guitarist Paddy Gervers.

The resultant raise in profile for Jonny & The Baptists has resulted in a boost in viewers watching their music video and a surge in tour sales. Now, in a move described as an 'own goal' for UKIP, the musical comedians are announcing additional dates. Venues in Bath and the Forest of Dean have now been added to their tour schedule, and the group will put on a second performance at the Royal Exchange Manchester due to the "soaring ticket sales" generated by their increased notoriety.

Jonny Donahoe says: "It's all been a bit baffling - both the level of attacks from UKIP and the incredibly flattering support we've received for what's essentially two blokes doing jokes with a guitar. At the end of the day, we're just happy to play a few more gigs, sell a few more tickets and have some new material for the next show."

Below is the music video for the duo's UKIP song:

In this video, from The Musical Comedy Awards 2013, the duo perform their hit song Not A Pub:

For all the tour dates and to find out more about the group visit jonnyandthebaptists.co.uk