Ali Woods talks about lockdown fame and being half-English and half-Scottish

Stand-up Ali Woods started posting comedy sketches online during the pandemic to help with his mental health, and since then has gained millions of views and likes, and been featured on sites like LadBible, Buzzfeed and ASOS.

He's now set to bring his debut stand-up hour, Best Friend Ever, to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this August. He tackles all the big topics; Scottish mothers, sex parties, karate teachers, and mental breakdowns. During the worst of the global pandemic, while Ali was trying to survive lockdowns with a close friend, he was shocked to discover something unexpected about himself - that he is, in fact, a terrible friend. This show is the heart-felt biographical story about Ali's attempts to become more helpful and less... himself.

Are you looking forward to debuting in Edinburgh this August?

I honestly can't wait! It was supposed to happen back in 2020 but then there was this thing called a global pandemic, so it got pushed back a couple years. Now I'm even more ready to go!

What's it like growing up half-English and half-Scottish?

It's weird because I appear Scottish with ginger hair but grew up in London. So, I disappoint Scottish people because I look Braveheart but sound Hugh Grant, and then English people just say I've got no soul.

Because of the way they teach history in England, I didn't realise how much Scottish people can really loathe the English, I thought it was just all about football. It's only when I got older that I started feeling really English when I visited Scotland. Until then, I always thought we were basically on the same team, because I have family from both sides.

How did you stay sane in lockdown?

Not sure I did to be honest!

A massive help was making comedy videos. Me and my housemate started filming little sketches to put on social media. As they developed into different formats and gained some popularity, it gave us something to work towards.

I'm really restless so I always need a project to be getting on with. My other project in lockdown was trying to gain as much weight as possible.

You grew a substantial social media following over lockdown. How are you enjoying the internet fame?

Fame is very generous!

If I do have some fame, I've got to say this level is brilliant. People only recognise me because they like my videos, as I'm not popular enough for people to be forced to watch them on their feeds. So it's great!

I do get a lot of people who don't actually know who I am or know I do stand-up, but they'll just give me a funny look, then say 'Are you on Instagram?'. I say yes for those ones, but if people come up to me drunk on a night out and say 'Do I know you from somewhere?' I usually say, 'probably not, I work in PR'.

They normally get bored and move on pretty quickly.

But when I do meet actual fans it's a real joy. I love the feeling that my silly little videos I record in my room, wearing a variety of wigs, can actually help people enjoy their days a bit more. It's amazing.

What's the funniest thing you've seen recently?

Whatever it is, it will have been on TikTok. The platform is so engaging, and the way people use it is so inventive, I find myself scrolling for ages throughout the day.

So check it out if you want a laugh, but also don't if you want to get anything done.