James Haskell

Rugby star James Haskell to become stand-up comic

James Haskell has been forced to abandon his plan to become a force in mixed martial arts after having back surgery. But the ex-England and Lions international is far from downhearted - in fact, quite the opposite. He now wants to become a stand-up comedian.

BBC, 29th October 2021

The Tyneside titter merchant invites another unwitting audience back to the bowels of his basement for a bucketful of banter. Guests joining the titular cellar-dweller tonight are Towie mainstay-turned-factual frontman Joey Essex and Almost Royal aristo-impersonator Ed Gamble. Expect the usual extravaganza of party games and curious challenges, including a physical train-based trial set by England rugby star James Haskell.

Mark Gibbings-Jones, The Guardian, 25th January 2017