Kevin Bridges

Success in business is no laughing matter

A north-east comedy fan who started organising stand-up shows as a hobby has launched a business after bringing funny men John Bishop, Reginald D Hunter and Kevin Bridges to the region.

The besuited funnyman's stand-up showcase returns. McIntyre himself divides opinion - he seems to be almost as unpopular with critics as he is beloved by audiences - but there's no doubting his infectious energy as he hauls his sparkly set around six large theatre venues. The tour begins at Glasgow Theatre Royal, where our host is joined by teen prodigy Daniel Sloss, hairy Canadian Craig Campbell, punning surrealist Milton Jones and headline act Kevin Bridges, a fast-rising raconteur who'll be cheered in his home town.

Michael McIntyre bounds on stage, newly svelte and very natty in a purple suit. He doesn't look like the most polarising figure in British comedy. Polarising in the sense that mass audiences adore him, while other, less successful comics marinate in resentment whenever his name is mentioned. Fine, yes, McIntyre is very safe (though he says "s**t" twice, to my horror - it's like hearing your favourite auntie swear), but the observational stuff is fun. It may be obvious, but there you go, that's observation for you. Anyway, I like him, and the Glasgow audience at the first of a new run of Roadshows is in his pocket immediately as he tells cute stories about his two small children, revolving doors at airports and trampolines in gardens. None of it will start any revolutions, but who needs that on a Saturday night? He's not Bill Hicks. McIntyre is wildly enthusiastic about the night's acts, including local boy Kevin Bridges, garrulous Canadian Craig Campbell and Radio 4 favourite Milton Jones, whose punning, literal schtick makes my teeth itch with annoyance.

Michael McIntyre and Kevin Bridges

Tomorrow night, Michael McIntyre is taking his Comedy Roadshow to the Theatre Royal in Glasgow, and local favourite Kevin Bridges is headlining.

We caught up with Kevin and asked him a few questions...

The "Live" in the title is a bit of a misnomer as the Fringe has been over for weeks but, nevertheless, these two shows - hosted by Glaswegian comic Kevin Bridges - showcase some of the biggest names gracing the festival, including breakout Liverpudlian John Bishopthe deadpan wit of Mark Watson, the always entertaining Sean Lock and newer lights such as Jack Whitehall. It could do with a few more of those nominated for the Foster's Awards like Bo Burnham and Josie Long, but it's still a strong lineup.

Profile: Kevin Bridges, comedian

Were it not for Kevin Bridges' curious nocturnal habits, this year's Edinburgh Festival might be quite a different place. Six years ago, the 17-year-old found himself up late one night, surfing the internet. Bored of his PlayStation, he did what any teenage boy would do in the circumstances: he applied to perform at a comedy club.

The irrestistible rise of Kevin Bridges

The extraordinary career leap of 23-year-old Glasgow comedian Kevin Bridges was the "story of the festival", according to Edinburgh Comedy Awards boss Nica Burns.

Often in this show a panellist manages, through artful stumbling, to make everyone else think that a true story is made-up nonsense. Much harder is to pick up a card and read a fabrication you've never seen before, then convince the assembled wits it happened. There's a solid-gold example of the latter tonight, though to say who pulls it off would of course spoil the point. Aside from that, it's a slow starter, but takes off when David Mitchell cross-examines Kevin Bridges over a horse the latter supposedly bought by mistake in Bulgaria. Also taking part, Prof Brian Cox, a giggly Keeley Hawes and Stephen Mangan.

Kevin Bridges and Frankie Boyle on the football pitch

Up and coming Scottish comedian Chris Forbes chats to stv.tv about Michael McIntyre backstage and the Com Com football team, starring Kevin Bridges, Frankie Boyle and Fred McAuley.

Patrick Kielty MCs more topical, edgy humour tonight from Rich Hall, Jack Whitehall, Andi Osho and Kevin Bridges. And another masochistic celebrity guest braves The Chair - the 21st century equivalent of the stocks. Except, instead of being pelted with rotten fruit and veg, they're subjected to a tsunami of verbal abuse that stops just short of having their head pushed down the toilet.

This week it's Peter Shilton, who'll be hoping for an easier ride than Lembit Opik got last week. Don't be fooled by Kielty's blandly angelic appearance. This isn't the same Patrick Kielty who fronted Fame Academy, Love Island and The National Lottery's Big Ticket. The Patrick Kielty on this show is his ruder, cruder and utterly merciless identical evil twin.