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Comedians Directory

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Showing 13-24 of 27 comedians

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Nov 21, 2026 Canada

Anthony Kavanagh

129K followers

Anthony Kavanagh, born on September 26, 1969, in Greenfield Park, Quebec, is a multifaceted Canadian entertainer. He is recognized as a Quebecois humorist, actor, singer, and television host of Haitian origin. His parents immigrated to Quebec in the 1960s; his father works as a teacher and his mother directs a hospital. Kavanagh’s early exposure to performance began at age 14 with a debut in a high school talent show, followed by a comedic and musical show at Antoine-Brossard high school when he was 16. Kavanagh quickly gained recognition within the Canadian comedy scene, winning the Best New Comic Award at the Juste pour rire Festival in Montreal in 1989. He also won the 'Juste pour rire' national auditions that same year. In 1992, Julio Iglesias and Natalie Cole benefited from his skill, and he spent two years touring Canada as the opening act for Céline Dion. At age 23, he became the youngest talk show host in Quebec, hosting “…et Anthony” starting in 1993. He also appeared on the comedy radio show Les Midis fous and television shows Super sans plomb and Voodootaxi. The comedian’s career continued to flourish with his solo show 'Kavanagh!', which premiered in 1995 and toured Quebec. This show achieved significant success, eventually running for two years and playing in seven countries, selling 250,000 DVDs, and concluding in 2003. Beyond stand-up, Kavanagh's abilities were recognized when he won the Outstanding New Talent award at the Montreux Comedy Festival in Switzerland in 1995; he also voiced Mushu for the French-Canadian version of Disney’s *Mulan* in 1998, and contributed voice work to numerous other films from Disney and DreamWorks. He has also showcased his musical abilities, playing Billy Flynn in the French version of Chicago in both Montreal (2003) and Paris (2004), and performing at the Théâtre Trévise in Paris for seven months and at the Olympia in 1999. In 2006, he launched “Les démons de l’Arkange,” a show combining music, comedy, and stand-up, culminating in an album release of the same name in January 2006 and performances at the Grand Rex in Paris. Since 2001, he has hosted the NRJ Music Awards six years in a row. After living abroad for a time, Kavanagh returned to live in Quebec with his family in 2017.

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Adam Kay, comedian from the United Kingdom – musical comedy

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Dec 6, 2026 United Kingdom

Adam Kay

90.8K followers

Adam Kay was born on June 12, 1980, in Brighton, England. Adam Kay holds the positions of British television writer, author, comedian, and previously worked as a doctor. Growing up with three siblings, his family has Polish origins, originally using the surname Strykowski. He attended Dulwich College, leaving in 1997, and subsequently studied medicine at Imperial College London, graduating in 2004. During medical school, Adam Kay began performing in shows and founded the musical comedy group Amateur Transplants. He also wrote for BBC Radio 4 during this time. Initially training in obstetrics and gynaecology, he left medicine in 2010 following a traumatic patient experience involving a stillborn baby and subsequent PTSD. The Amateur Transplants' song 'London Underground' gained popularity online in 2005, marking an early step in his comedic journey. His memoir, This Is Going to Hurt , published in 2017, became a bestseller, selling over three million copies and being translated into 36 languages. The book won ten national awards, including Book of the Year at the 2018 National Book Awards. In 2022, Adam Kay transformed 'This Is Going to Hurt' into a seven-part comedy-drama series for BBC One; he received a BAFTA in 2023 recognizing his writing on the project. He has written for shows like Brown’s Boys and Mitchell and Webb, and alongside Dan Swimer, co-created the BBC Three sitcom Crims. Beginning in 2020, Kay has published numerous children's books, notably 'Kay's Anatomy,' which achieved the distinction of being the decade's best-selling non-fiction book for young readers. Adam Kay maintains a busy touring schedule, having presented sold-out performances at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe for six years, and his 'This Is Going to Hurt' stage show has been attended by more than 300,000 people. He is scheduled to publish his first novel, A Particularly Nasty Case , in 2025, and will be touring with 'This is Going to Hurt: 10 Year Anniversary UK Tour' starting in 2027, as well as 'Undoctored' in Ireland/NI also starting in 2027. Recognized as a BAFTA winner and Emmy nominee, Adam Kay is also a multi-million-selling author and performer; he has contributed over £350,000 to The Lullaby Trust, in addition to supporting Oxfordshire Mind, The Laura Hyde Foundation, and Doctors in Distress.

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Angela Barnes, comedian from the United Kingdom

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Dec 1, 2026 United Kingdom

Angela Barnes

64.8K followers

Angela Barnes is an English stand-up comedian born on November 9, 1976. She spent her childhood in Sidcup, London and later moved to Maidstone, Kent. Her education included attending Invicta Grammar School and studying at the University of Sussex in Brighton from 1996. Before pursuing comedy professionally, Barnes worked as a nurse and subsequently in social care, experiences that likely inform some of her observations about life. The loss of her father in 2008 significantly influenced her decision to transition into stand-up comedy. Barnes’s career began with organizing comedy nights in Brighton, demonstrating an early commitment to the craft. She quickly gained recognition, reaching the final of the 2011 Latitude Festival New Act of the Year competition and winning the BBC Radio 2 New Comedy Award that same year. This award marked a pivotal moment, launching her onto a wider stage. Her appearances on television programs such as Mock the Week and DAVE’s Unspun with Matt Forde further established her presence in the comedy landscape. She has also performed on Live At The Apollo and contributed regularly to BBC Radio 4, including appearances in The Now Show and The News Quiz. Beyond stand-up performances, Barnes has explored unique venues for her comedy. In 2017, as part of her Edinburgh Fringe show Fortitude, she performed a gig inside a nuclear bunker. She also hosted Newsjack on BBC Radio 4 Extra from 2017 to 2018. Since January 2020, she has co-hosted the podcast We Are History with John O'Farrell. Barnes was diagnosed with ADHD in May 2021 and married her husband Matt in September of that year. She continues to be an active presence in comedy, participating in events such as the Shepherds Bush Comedy Festival, which ran from June 18 to 23, 2017, and receiving endorsement from Bill Bailey.

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Alan Davies, comedian from the United Kingdom

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Dec 4, 2026 United Kingdom

Alan Davies

31.8K followers

Alan Davies, born in England, works as an actor, television presenter, stand-up comedian, and author. Born on March 6, 1966, in Loughton, Essex, he spent his childhood in Chingford. His early life was marked by significant loss; his mother died from leukemia when he was only six years old, and he was subsequently raised by his father and paternal grandparents. Davies attended Staples Road School and Bancroft's School before pursuing further education at Loughton College of Further Education and the University of Kent at Canterbury, graduating in 1988. These formative experiences, including experiencing sexual abuse from his father between ages 8 and 13, contribute to the material he draws upon in his comedy. In 1988, Davies launched his professional comedy career with performances at the Whitstable Labour Club. He quickly gained recognition, being named Time Out's Best Young Comic in 1991. Winning the Edinburgh Festival Critics Award for Comedy in 1994, his show was subsequently distributed on video and cassette in 1995 under the name 'Alan Davies Live at the Lyric'. From 1994 to 1995, he hosted Alan's Big One on Radio 1. He is also known for his appearances on Top Gear in 2001 and 2008, where he achieved times of 1:54 and 1:50.3 respectively. His comedy style is described as both lighthearted and devastating, often drawing from his childhood experiences. Davies’s most prominent roles include starring in the BBC mystery drama series Jonathan Creek from 1997 to 2016, playing the title role. Since 2003, he has been a permanent panelist on the BBC panel show QI , participating since its premiere. Widely recognized as a popular comedian in the United Kingdom, Davies also receives praise from critics for his stand-up comedy. Davies has authored three memoirs: My Favourite People and Me: 1978–1988 , Rebel Without A Clue: How the 80s Made Me , and Just Ignore Him , released in 2020, followed by White Male Stand-Up in 2023. He continues to tour with his stand-up shows, including 'Think Ahead' starting in September 2025, and is currently on an Autumn Tour 2026, which concluded recently. A scheduled show at Soho Theatre Walthamstow is planned for December 4, 2026. His shows, such as Urban Trauma and Life is Pain and Little Victories , have sold out across the UK, and his current show has a running time of two hours and ten minutes including an interval, and is recommended for ages 16+. The show includes discussion around abuse.

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Ari Eldjárn, comedian from Iceland – satire

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Nov 23, 2026 Iceland

Ari Eldjárn

24.1K followers

Ari Eldjárn is an Icelandic stand-up comedian, writer and actor. He was born in Reykjavík on 5 September 1981. His father, Þórarinn Eldjárn, is a writer and his mother, Unnur Ólafsdóttir, a meteorologist; his paternal grandfather, Kristján Eldjárn, was the third President of Iceland, from 1968 to 1980. Ari began performing stand-up in May 2009. He is a member of the comedy group Mið-Ísland and wrote for Icelandic television programmes including Mið-Ísland and Hversdagsreglur. He has co-written the national New Year's Eve satire Áramótaskaupið, and for years he has staged his own annual New Year stand-up show, Áramótaskop. He has also performed stand-up with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, and he appeared in Drekasvæðið on the national broadcaster RÚV in 2015. Abroad, he took his show Eagle Fire Iron to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, followed by Pardon My Icelandic, and has toured as far as Australia and Finland. In the UK he appeared on the BBC's Mock the Week. In November 2020 Eagle Fire Iron was released on vinyl by Monkey Barrel Records, and in December 2020 Pardon My Icelandic aired on Netflix, bringing his take on Icelandic life and language to a worldwide audience. In January 2021 President Guðni Th. Jóhannesson presented him with the Icelandic Optimism Award for 2020. In 2024 he received the Jónas Hallgrímsson Award for his contribution to the Icelandic language. In 2026 RÚV broadcast his series Stjörnubíó, in which he discussed famous Icelandic films such as Hrafninn flýgur, Stella í orlofi and Englar alheimsins. He has two daughters.

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Arthur Smith, comedian from the United Kingdom – parody, musical comedy

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Dec 20, 2026 United Kingdom

Arthur Smith

139 followers

Brian Arthur John Smith was born in Bermondsey, south London, on November 27, 1954. He is a comedian, presenter, actor, and writer, considered one of the originals of the British alternative comedy scene. Earning a 2:1 BA in Comparative Literature from the University of East Anglia in 1976, he entered the stand-up comedy world during the 1980s. He has consistently appeared at the Edinburgh Fringe comedy festival since 1977, earning recognition including the Panel Prize in 2007 and the Spirit of The Fringe Award. Smith’s work spans various media. He co-wrote the play 'An Evening with Gary Lineker' with Chris England, which received an Olivier Award nomination and was later adapted into a TV film. In addition to his stand-up, he developed musical comedy programs including 'Arthur Smith Sings Leonard Cohen,' and co-created the parody documentary series 'Arthur and Phil Go Off' (1985) with Phil Nice. His acting credits include roles in television series like 'Grumpy Old Men’ (BBC), an episode of 'The Bill' (1989), and the 'Red Dwarf' episode 'Backwards'. He has voiced characters in animated productions, including 'Ident' (1989) by Aardman Animations, and several animated television shows like 'The Animal Train', 'Rex the Runt', and 'Romuald the Reindeer'. In 2006, he took on the role of ‘Clarrie’ in the Doctor Who audio drama, 'The Kingmaker'. He has written numerous books, including 'Trench Kiss' (1990), 'Pointless Hoax' (1997), 'Sit-Down Comedy' (2003), 'That Which Is Not Said' (2006), the autobiography 'My Name is Daphne Fairfax' (2009), and his latest, '100 Things I Meant To Tell You'. Currently, Arthur Smith continues to perform frequently at comedy clubs, theatres, festivals, and private events, often travelling from Somerset. He presents BBC Radio 4 programs like 'Excess Baggage' and 'The Smith Lectures', and hosts 'The Comedy Club' on BBC Radio 4 Extra, as well as narrating 'Money for Nothing'. He has also been a guest on shows such as 'QI', ‘Have I Got News For You’, ‘They Think It’s All Over’, and ‘Never Mind the Buzzcocks’. He is presently nominated for an Olivier Award for Best New Comedy. Reviewers characterize his comedy as a 'charmingly laconic blend of aphorisms, wry one-liners, poetry, and audience participation,' and he frequently delivers 30-minute performances adaptable to a range of occasions.

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Adam Bloom, comedian from the United Kingdom

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Nov 15, 2026 United Kingdom

Adam Bloom

Adam Bloom is a British comedian and writer, born on December 8, 1970. He declared at age ten that he would become a comedian, and began performing stand-up comedy by age 23. Bloom is frequently referred to as the ‘comedian’s comedian,’ and has appeared on national television in both Britain and the United States. His parents nicknamed him 'The Voice' when he was just 18 months old, perhaps foreshadowing his future career. He debuted at the Edinburgh Festival in 1996 and has been a frequent performer there, completing seven sell-out solo runs from 1996 to 2007. Bloom’s career includes numerous awards and appearances at prestigious comedy festivals. He won the Edinburgh Festival Polygram Punter Comedy Award at some point, and received the Time Out Comedy Award for Best Stand-Up in 1998. He appeared at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in both 1999 and 2000. Appearing at the Montreal Just For Laughs comedy festival on four occasions—in 1998, 2001, 2005, and 2013—he also had television galas filmed during his 2001 and 2005 appearances, which were then shown worldwide. In 2012, he was nominated for a Chortle award. Bloom’s work extends beyond stand-up performances. Between 2003 and 2005, he created and featured in three seasons of *The Problem with Adam Bloom*, a series aired on BBC Radio 4. He also had a Channel 4 half-hour special, Beyond a Joke , commissioned in 1999. In 2004, he participated in the Just For Laughs Comedy Tour, performing for over 42,000 people across 17 Canadian cities. He has ghost-written material for over 40 other comedians and written for approximately 50 comedians overall, and provides bespoke material for corporate events. In 2023, Bloom released *Finding Your Comic Genius: An in-depth guide to the art of stand up* independently; this publication is recognized as a resource detailing the techniques involved in comedy writing. He maintains an active presence online with accounts on Instagram (@adambloomcomedy) and Twitter (@adambloomie2).

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Ahir Shah, comedian from the United Kingdom

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Mar 4, 2027 United Kingdom

Ahir Shah

Ahir Shah is a British comedian born on December 28, 1990. His parents, Vikram and Alka, originate from India, and his mother works as a state primary school teacher. Early in his life, at age five, his grandmother was deported to India, an event that has informed aspects of his work. Having studied at Preston Manor comprehensive school, he concluded his education in 2012 at the University of Cambridge, earning a degree encompassing Politics, Psychology, and Sociology. Shah began performing stand-up comedy at open mic nights when he was just fifteen, spurred by his father's encouragement to participate in extracurricular activities. Throughout his school and university years, he continued to hone his comedic skills. His debut show, 'Astrology,' premiered in 2011. He toured the UK with 'Dots' in 2019, a performance that gained significant recognition. Beyond stand-up, he has appeared on television programs such as BBC Two’s 'The Mash Report', and has been a guest on panel shows including 'Have I Got News For You' and 'Mock the Week'. He also has acting credits in ‘Campus’, ‘Brotherhood’, and ‘Catastrophe,’ and co-hosted 'Explicable Me' with Suzi Ruffell on BBC Radio 2. Notably, Shah has discussed his experiences with depression within his stand-up routines. The comedian’s career reached new heights with an HBO special of 'Dots' in 2021 and the release of his show 'Ends' as a Netflix special in September 2024. ‘Ends’ earned him the Edinburgh Comedy Award in 2023 for Best Show, widely considered a prestigious recognition within the comedy world. In 2024, he participated as a co-host on 'The Bugle' podcast; presently, he is producing a BBC Radio 4 series titled 'Ahir Shah's 7 Blunders of the World,' slated for release in 2025. His performances have received positive reviews; one reviewer deemed his work “the most important stand-up of the year, if not decade,” while another considered a particular show to be “truly outstanding.” He is presently working on a new stand-up show, 'Golden,' intended for 2026-2027.

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Al Murray, comedian from the United Kingdom – satire

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Jan 23, 2027 United Kingdom

Al Murray

Alastair James Hay Murray, known professionally as Al Murray, is an English comedian born on May 10, 1968, in Stewkley, Buckinghamshire. A relative of the author William Makepeace Thackeray, he went to Bedford School and was a percussionist with the Bedfordshire County Youth Orchestra. His father held positions within both the Royal Engineers and British Rail. Murray graduated from the University of Oxford, demonstrating an early engagement with intellectual pursuits alongside his musical interests. Murray began his comedy career in 1994, working with Harry Hill for BBC Radio 4 and regularly performing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. He first appeared as 'The Pub Landlord' during the 1994 Fringe Festival, a character who challenges audiences to name a country before asserting British superiority. This persona has become central to his work for over 20 years. Receiving nominations in 1996, 1997, and 1998, he ultimately secured the Edinburgh Comedy Award in 1999. Throughout his career spanning over two decades, he has filled arenas and large theaters worldwide. His work includes appearances on Channel 4's The Word in November 1991 and a brief stint as the drummer in the band Evangelista from 1994-1995. Al Murray’s comedy style often revolves around the character of 'The Pub Landlord', exploring British culture and history with a satirical edge. He has presented several award-winning series for BBC Four, including Al Murray: Why Does Everyone Hate the English? , Al Murray: Why Do The Brits Win Every War? , and Al Murray: Why Does Everyone Hate The British Empire? , as well as specials like Al Murray’s Great British War Movies and Al Murray’s Great British Spy Movies . He has also appeared on The Royal Variety Performance multiple times, hosted Live at the Apollo and Live at the Palladium , and starred in the sitcom Time Gentlemen Please . His theatrical work includes My Gaff, My Rules , which was short-listed for an Olivier Award in 2002. He has received two Olivier Award nominations for West End runs and is currently touring with ‘All You Need Is Guv’ and 'Guv Island', selling over 130,000 tickets in 2024. Murray is also a writer, having authored six books about British culture and history, including Victory’45 , scheduled for release in April 2025, and co-hosts the podcast We Have Ways of Making You Talk with James Holland, focusing on WWII history.

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Nov 27, 2026 France

Alex Lutz

Alex Lutz, born on August 24, 1978, in Strasbourg, Alsace, is a multifaceted French artist. He is an actor, comedian, writer, playwright, director, and filmmaker. Growing up in Limersheim, about fifteen kilometers south of Strasbourg, he attended several schools including École du Conseil des XV, Collège international Vauban, lycée Jean-Monnet and lycée international des Pontonniers. Lutz initially pursued arts, but theater sparked his interest. His career began in 1994 when Pascale Spengler hired him for her troupe 'Les Foirades,' where he worked as an actor and assistant director until 2000. In 1996, he established his own company, 'Le Coût de la pomme.' Lutz has collaborated with numerous comedians including Malik Bentalha, Pierre Palmade, Michèle Laroque, Jean-Loup Dabadie, Sylvie Joly, and Audrey Lamy in plays and one-man shows. He gained recognition for portraying Catherine in the television show Catherine et Liliane , alongside Bruno Sanches, which ran from 2012 to 2019. He has also appeared in films such as OSS 117: Rio ne répond plus (2009) and Female Agents (2008), and played the 'poor man' in Caméra Café 2 (2010). Lutz’s directorial work includes Le Talent de mes amis (2015) and the faux musical documentary Guy (2019). Guy earned him a Lumière Award and a César Award for Best Actor in 2019. He performs his one-man show Triple lutz at Le Point-Virgule since January 2007. His upcoming show, 'Sexe, grog et rocking chair', written by Lutz and directed by Tom Dingler, will be presented in 2025-2026 and is a tribute to his father. He continues to work as an actor, appearing in films like Vortex (2021) and is slated for Une comédie romantique . He will also voice Maxime Le Mal in Despicable Me 4 (2024).

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Alexander Armstrong, comedian from the United Kingdom

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Nov 24, 2026 United Kingdom

Alexander Armstrong

Alexander Armstrong, born Alexander Henry Fenwick Armstrong on March 2, 1970, in Rothbury, Northumberland, is a British entertainer with a diverse career spanning comedy, television presenting, acting, broadcasting, and singing. He grew up in Longframlington and Pauperhaugh, north-east England, experiencing a childhood rich in folk culture and music festivals. Attending Mowden Hall School, St Mary's Music School in Edinburgh, Durham School, and Trinity College, Cambridge formed part of his schooling; at Trinity College, Cambridge he served as a choral scholar within the Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge, while also investigating music and comedy. He played piano and cello during his studies. Armstrong’s comedic journey began with his involvement in the Footlights in 1992, followed by a performance at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1996, earning him a Perrier Award nomination. He is best known for his comedy duo Armstrong and Miller, formed in the 1990s with Ben Miller. Together, they appeared in four seasons of *Armstrong and Miller* (1997-2001) and subsequently took *The Armstrong and Miller Show* on tour, performing 62 shows in 2010. He has also appeared in television shows like Beast , Life Begins , Hunderby , and Danger Mouse . The partnership produced The Armstrong and Miller Book in 2010, solidifying their place in British comedy. Beyond comedy, Armstrong is a versatile talent. He presents a weekday mid-morning show at Classic FM, initially writing extensive scripts for the program. He has hosted numerous travel shows, including those filmed in India, Sri Lanka, Iceland, and South Korea. His vocal talents extend to voice acting roles like Mr. Smith in The Sarah Jane Adventures and Doctor Who, as well as providing the voice for Hey Duggee and Danger Mouse . Armstrong is a bass-baritone singer who has released three studio albums, including A Year of Songs (2015), which achieved Gold certification in the UK. His musical performances feature a range of styles including classical crossover, traditional British songs, Christmas music, folk music, and musical theatre. He is also an author; his new book, Evenfall: The Tempest Stone , is the second installment in a literary fantasy series for children aged 9-12. Currently, he is preparing for a UK tour in 2026 with Aled Jones on The Big Christmas Sing-A-Long Tour and has been a prominent figure in British entertainment for over 20 years.

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Andy Zaltzman, comedian from the United Kingdom

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Jan 10, 2027 United Kingdom

Andy Zaltzman

Andrew Zaltzman is a British comedian who also works as a cricket statistician. His stand‑up material primarily revolves around current affairs and sport. He has partnered with John Oliver on projects such as Political Animal, The Department and The Bugle. Starting in 2016 he has supplied cricket statistics for BBC Radio’s Test Match Special broadcasts, and since 2020 he has hosted Radio 4’s The News Quiz. On television, he won the eighteenth series of Taskmaster in 2024, beating Babatunde Aléshé, Emma Sidi, Jack Dee and Rosie Jones, and is noted for coining the catchphrase “Nexus of Truth”.

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