Graham Linehan to make stand-up debut
- Writer Graham Linehan is turning his hand to stand-up comedy
- The sitcom writer will try out a live set with Comedy Unleashed on Valentine's Day
- He says: "I've no real plans beyond seeing how it goes!"
Graham Linehan is to make his debut as a stand-up comic in February.
Best known as the co-writer of Father Ted, his credits also include The IT Crowd, Motherland, Big Train and Black Books.
Speaking to British Comedy Guide, Linehan explains: "I actually just wanted to try out a quick ten minutes without publicity or expectations but I forgot to send out the memo and it was publicised. I've no real plans beyond seeing how it goes!"
His debut comes on a St. Valentine's Day bill at East London's popular Backyard Comedy Club, in a show being put together by Comedy Unleashed. Other performers set to appear are Irish comedian Mary Bourke, stand-up Tania Edwards and artist and satirical comic Miriam Elia, with MC Bruce Devlin.
The show is dubbed "a night of free-thinking comedy with comedians who don't self-censor" and tickets are available now from £8.50.
Linehan has become a controversial figure in recent years, amidst changing attitudes and campaigns around transgender issues and women's rights, particularly on social media. He has been vocal about a new stage musical version of his and Arthur Mathews's hit Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted, which they have developed, written and is "ready to go", but which producers are refusing to progress with his continued involvement.