Kevin Bridges
Encyclopedia
Kevin Bridges is a Scottish
stand-up comedian
.
in Glasgow and then throughout the UK. At 18 he reached the final of Channel 5's So you think you're funny competition at the Edinburgh Fringe. He performed at the 2008 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Bridges appeared on Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow
on the BBC
, where he performed at the Edinburgh Playhouse
.
In 2010, he took part in Channel 4's Comedy Gala
, a benefit show
held in aid of Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital
, filmed live at the O2 Arena
in London.
His debut DVD, titled Kevin Bridges: The Story So Far... Live In Glasgow, was released on 22 November 2010.
(formerly known as Paramount comedy) with a set on The World Stands Up which aired in April 2008. Shortly afterwards he appeared on Comedy Store (also on Comedy Central). His performances on these shows and on the comedy circuit and at festivals led to his being given his first mainstream TV break on BBC
One's Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow
(recorded in April 2009 and broadcast June 5, 2009). Bridges was critically commended for his performance. Over 5 million viewers saw his debut and his entire 25-night run at the Edinburgh festival
sold out in hours, with extra shows being subsequently added and also selling out. Bridges went on to be nominated for the 2009 Edinburgh Comedy Awards (formerly Perrier) in the best newcomer category. His TV work since then has included BBC
One's Live At the Apollo and also a "Best of British Special" (Episode 7 of the 8th series) of 8 out of 10 Cats
, in July 2009. He also appeared in BBC 2 Scotland's Gary: Tank Commander
(Episode 6). Bridges appeared in Rab C Nesbitt in the first episode of the new series in 2010, on Mock the Week
in February 2010, in an episode of season 4 of Would I Lie To You?
, and on the Jonathan Ross show on BBC One on 28 May 2010. He is a regular performer on Channel 4's Stand Up for the Week
, which began in June 2010.
on 6 March 2010, where he came second behind Greg Brady
, becoming the youngest person ever to appear on the show at the time (a record since broken by fellow comedian Jack Whitehall
). He was also a contestant on BBC Radio 4's The Unbelievable Truth
, broadcast in November 2010.
. He later studied social sciences at Glasgow Caledonian University
.
He comes from a family of Celtic F.C.
supporters and shared their interest but later became disillusioned with the corporate side of the team.
During the "Any Other Business" round of the 13 August 2011 episode of Fighting Talk, Bridges revealed that he had moved out of his parents' home in Glasgow and into a new flat.
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
stand-up comedian
Stand-up comedy
Stand-up comedy is a comedic art form. Usually, a comedian performs in front of a live audience, speaking directly to them. Their performances are sometimes filmed for later release via DVD, the internet, and television...
.
Stand-up
Bridges began performing on the small stage when he left school shortly after his 17th birthday, doing stand-up comedy gigs at The Stand Comedy ClubThe Stand Comedy Club
The Stand Comedy Club are three stand-up comedy venues in the cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle upon Tyne.-History:The Stand hosted its first regular club night on Thursday 21st September 1995: seven people came and the total box office was £22....
in Glasgow and then throughout the UK. At 18 he reached the final of Channel 5's So you think you're funny competition at the Edinburgh Fringe. He performed at the 2008 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Bridges appeared on Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow
Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow
Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow is a British stand-up comedy television series hosted by comedian Michael McIntyre from different venues around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. The first series was broadcast with six episodes in 2009. Each episode features a routine from McIntyre,...
on the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
, where he performed at the Edinburgh Playhouse
Edinburgh Playhouse
The Edinburgh Playhouse is a former cinema in Edinburgh, Scotland which now hosts touring musicals and music concerts. Its capacity is 3,059, making it the UK's largest working theatre in terms of audience capacity....
.
In 2010, he took part in Channel 4's Comedy Gala
Channel 4's Comedy Gala
Channel 4's Comedy Gala is a British stand-up comedy benefit show organised Channel 4 in aid of the Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital. The gig is filmed live at the O2 Arena in London, and then broadcast later by Channel 4...
, a benefit show
Benefit concert
A benefit concert or charity concert is a concert, show or gala featuring musicians, comedians, or other performers that is held for a charitable purpose, often directed at a specific and immediate humanitarian crisis. Such events raise both funds and public awareness to address the cause at...
held in aid of Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital
Great Ormond Street Hospital
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children is a children's hospital located in London, United Kingdom...
, filmed live at the O2 Arena
The O2 arena (London)
The O2 Arena is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in the centre of The O2, a large entertainment complex on the Greenwich peninsula in London, England.With a capacity of up to 20,000 depending on the event, it is second largest...
in London.
His debut DVD, titled Kevin Bridges: The Story So Far... Live In Glasgow, was released on 22 November 2010.
Television
Bridges' television career started on Comedy CentralComedy Central
Comedy Central is an American cable television and satellite television channel that carries comedy programming, both original and syndicated....
(formerly known as Paramount comedy) with a set on The World Stands Up which aired in April 2008. Shortly afterwards he appeared on Comedy Store (also on Comedy Central). His performances on these shows and on the comedy circuit and at festivals led to his being given his first mainstream TV break on BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
One's Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow
Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow
Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow is a British stand-up comedy television series hosted by comedian Michael McIntyre from different venues around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. The first series was broadcast with six episodes in 2009. Each episode features a routine from McIntyre,...
(recorded in April 2009 and broadcast June 5, 2009). Bridges was critically commended for his performance. Over 5 million viewers saw his debut and his entire 25-night run at the Edinburgh festival
Edinburgh Festival
The Edinburgh Festival is a collective term for many arts and cultural festivals that take place in Edinburgh, Scotland each summer, mostly in August...
sold out in hours, with extra shows being subsequently added and also selling out. Bridges went on to be nominated for the 2009 Edinburgh Comedy Awards (formerly Perrier) in the best newcomer category. His TV work since then has included BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
One's Live At the Apollo and also a "Best of British Special" (Episode 7 of the 8th series) of 8 out of 10 Cats
8 Out of 10 Cats
8 out of 10 Cats is a television comedy panel game made by Zeppotron for Channel 4. It was first broadcast on 3 June 2005. The show is based on statistics and opinion polls, and draws on polls produced by a variety of organizations and new polls commissioned for the programme, carried out by...
, in July 2009. He also appeared in BBC 2 Scotland's Gary: Tank Commander
Gary: Tank Commander
Gary: Tank Commander is a BAFTA-award winning sitcom written and created by Greg McHugh and produced by the Comedy Unit. The show originated in 2008 as a one-off pilot for More4, under the title Gary's War. A full series was subsequently commissioned and broadcast on BBC Two Scotland in December...
(Episode 6). Bridges appeared in Rab C Nesbitt in the first episode of the new series in 2010, on Mock the Week
Mock the Week
Mock the Week is a British topical celebrity panel game hosted by Dara Ó Briain that launched in 2005. The game is influenced by improvised topical stand-up comedy, with several rounds requiring players to deliver answers on unexpected subjects on the spur of the moment.It is made by independent...
in February 2010, in an episode of season 4 of Would I Lie To You?
Would I Lie To You? (TV series)
Would I Lie to You? is a comedy panel game made by Zeppotron for BBC One. It was first broadcast on 16 June 2007.-Format:The show was presented by Angus Deayton in 2007 and 2008, and by Rob Brydon from 2009 onwards...
, and on the Jonathan Ross show on BBC One on 28 May 2010. He is a regular performer on Channel 4's Stand Up for the Week
Stand Up for the Week
Stand Up for the Week is a British television comedy series shown on Channel 4, featuring stand-up comedy performances reflecting topical events. The show began in June 2010 with a six-episode series aired on Friday nights, moving to Saturday nights for the second series which began in March 2011...
, which began in June 2010.
Radio
Bridges took part in the BBC 5 Live show Fighting TalkFighting Talk
Fighting Talk is a topical sports show broadcast on BBC Radio 5 Live during the English football season. Its first series aired in October 2003, and was presented by Johnny Vaughan. The second series featured Christian O'Connell. It is currently hosted by Colin Murray and is aired on Saturday...
on 6 March 2010, where he came second behind Greg Brady
Greg Brady
Greg Brady may refer to:*Greg Brady , character from The Brady Bunch*Greg Brady , Canadian broadcaster on CJCL Toronto...
, becoming the youngest person ever to appear on the show at the time (a record since broken by fellow comedian Jack Whitehall
Jack Whitehall
Jack Peter Benedict Whitehall is an English comedian, television presenter and actor, best known for hosting the E4 show Big Brother's Big Mouth in 2008, Celebrity Big Brother's Big Mouth in January 2009, and the Channel 4 topical entertainment show the TNT Show.-Early life:Whitehall was born in...
). He was also a contestant on BBC Radio 4's The Unbelievable Truth
The Unbelievable Truth
The Unbelievable Truth is a BBC radio comedy panel game made by Random Entertainment, devised by Graeme Garden and Jon Naismith. It is very similar to the occasional I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue game "Lies, All Lies", which was first played in 1985...
, broadcast in November 2010.
Personal life
Kevin is the son of Andy and Patricia Bridges and has a brother, John, who is ten years older. He grew up in Clydebank and attended St Mary's Primary and St Columba's HighSt Columba's High School, Clydebank
St Columba's High School is a Roman Catholic comprehensive school in West Dunbartonshire, Scotland. It is one of two denominational schools in the region. The High School offers pupils 5-14 levels A-F, Access three, Standard Grade, Intermediate 1&2, Higher as well as Advanced Higher in some subjects...
. He later studied social sciences at Glasgow Caledonian University
Glasgow Caledonian University
Glasgow Caledonian University is a public university in Glasgow, Scotland.The university was constituted by an Act of Parliament on 1 April 1993 as a result of a merger between Glasgow Polytechnic and The Queen's College, Glasgow....
.
He comes from a family of Celtic F.C.
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
supporters and shared their interest but later became disillusioned with the corporate side of the team.
During the "Any Other Business" round of the 13 August 2011 episode of Fighting Talk, Bridges revealed that he had moved out of his parents' home in Glasgow and into a new flat.