Patrick Kielty – on stage

Patrick Kielty has been off making highly successful TV and radio shows for several years. But now he is returning to his first love: stand-up comedy, whilst at the same time creating a modern rulebook for love, life and happiness.

The star, who had his breakthrough alongside Ben Elton and Jo Brand on Comic Relief’s St Patrick’s Day Stand Up Special in 1995, is looking forward to going back to his routes with his brand-new show, “Help.”

Described by What’s On Stage as “still one of the funniest comedians you will ever see – TV has not tamed this man”, Patrick admits that stand-up gives him a buzz like no other.

“The thing is about comedy is that you can’t fake laughter. There’s an honesty in stand-up that isn’t in other forms. That means that when you do get a laugh, it gives you a real buzz!”

Patrick, who studied psychology at Queen’s University, Belfast, divulges what his new show ‘Help’ is all about. “I wanted to write a show about being happy. I’m 44. At that age, most performers are going through a mid-life crisis. But the funny thing is my life has gone the opposite way. ‘Help’ is about the opposite of a mid-life crisis.”

Patrick who got married nearly three years ago to Cat Deeley, his co-presenter on the very popular BBC1 talent show Fame Academy, continues. “In the warm-up shows, the audiences have been giving me very solid advice. In the last fifteen minutes, I hand the show over to them and at the end of every show, we agree on one piece of advice. I write it down and tell them, ‘That’s going in my book.’ It’s a self-help book by deed poll!”

In the past, Patrick has been known for more topical material, so “Help” represents something of a new direction for him. The comedian, who discusses such personal areas as his childhood and his marriage in the show, reflects that, “It does feel like a departure. A lot of the stuff I have done previously has had a political edge.”

He continues, “As a stand-up, you have to be honest enough to talk about what’s going on in your life. I hope audiences leave the show saying, ‘I’ve seen him on TV and heard him on the radio, but I didn’t realise that in his stand-up he lays it all out there.’

So far the audience reaction is, ‘Oh my God, I didn’t realise you’d be as personal as that. They have been very pleasantly surprised that I’ve been revealing as much as I have.”

But he emphasises that he will be unable to do his show alone – he will require your help and he urges us to bring our lovers, our advice and a crayon – and he guarantees to do the rest.

“Help” takes place at Pavilion Arts Centre on Friday 30 October at 8pm. Tickets are priced at £19.50. For more information or to buy tickets please contact Buxton Opera House Box, Tel 01298 72190 or visit www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk