2011 Edinburgh Fringe

More details

It's been a momentous year for John. After becoming an award-winning comedian, tackling a serious junk food addiction, losing a stone and a half in three weeks and purchasing The Cure's entire back catalogue on vinyl, he's well on his way to having his self-proclaimed 'mid-life crisis'.

The cheeky, ever-popular and edgy Scottish comic returns to the Fringe for this first solo Edinburgh show, Totally Made Up, and he's got plenty to say.

Described as "a grungy mix of Billy Connelly and Arragorn" John attacks subjects ranging from the vanity of celebrities through to people's obsession with Sci Fi films - which are of course, only partly made up.

Commanding, versatile, grungy and charmingly observational: John's risque style of comedy first shot him to fame when he was runner up in the Spike Milligan Award in 2003. He vowed never to get involved in comedy competitions again. Then in 2010 came Take the Mic, the biggest cash prize at the Edinburgh festival. It was too much temptation. But guess what? He won it.

After winning the award many people were known to remark, "You must be totally made up." Not only is this a good name for a show. It has a poignant, double meaning. Not that everything in the show is untrue. Much of it is painfully accurate. Isn't that what makes it funny?

Lucy Wheeler Biography

John started his comedy career in Scotland in May 2000 and just two months later was participating in his first Edinburgh festival in Stand up Scotland - A showcase for the best new talent emerging on the Scottish circuit.

Since that time he has gone onto participate in five Edinburgh shows in the various guises of double act, comic actor and solo performer, and in 2003 managed to squeeze in a wee bit time to win the Scottish section of the Spike Milligan award.

The shows have included the critically acclaimed Fish Supper sketch show which ran for four successive years and won rave reviews. Other shows have included Mongrel Nation. A show he wrote with Scots Asian comedian Saj Chaudry. Taking an ironic look at race, stereotypes and modern Scotts/British/Asian identity. This show was also well received managing to make The List magazines Top 10 Pick of the Fringe.

Other work includes being a regular contributor to The Stand comedy clubs current affairs show A kick up the tabloids and of course his first love working as a stand up on the British circuit.

More recently John has headlined and MC'ed at most of the top comedy clubs in the UK and also done TV warm up for Channel 5. He now currently resides in Newcastle.