In October 2004 Gareth Richards did his first ever gig aboard the Wibbly Wobbly boat, a notorious venue compered by alternative comedy veteran Malcolm Hardy. After his set Malcolm shook his hand and said, “Was that really your first gig?”
“Yes,” said Gareth.
Malcolm said, “Yeah, I thought it was.”
Gareth Richards’ hilarious stand-up and “gorgeously low-key comedy songs” (The Guardian) have made him an instant favourite on the comedy circuit. He was a finalist in the Hackney Empire New Act of the Year 2007 competition, and was runner-up in the Amused Moose Laugh-Off 2007.
In 2010 he took his first solo stand up show, “Stand Up Between Songs” to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and was nominated for Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer. He has taken a show to Edinburgh nearly every year since, and in 2018 is performing his eighth solo show, “Prophet” at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
On Television Gareth has appeared on Russell Howard’s Good News (BBC3), Live at the Electric (BBC3) and the children’s TV panel show The Dog Ate My Homework (CBBC). He has performed Live on BBC Radio 1, and has recorded stand up sets for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio 2. Gareth co-hosted Frank Skinner’s Sony award-winning Absolute Radio show for two years and still regularly fills in. He supported Frank on his 2014 tour.
“A delightful hour of comedy”
The Guardian
“A quietly clever craftsman with a big future”
Bruce Dessau, The Evening Standard
“An effortlessly assured act… exceptionally inspired and truly memorable.”
Steve Bennett, Chortle
“We laughed until we couldn’t catch our breath.”
Grazia.
