COMEDIANS:
GEOFF ROWE BEM (Founder, Leicester Comedy Festival):
‘I’ve done a few podcast interviews, mostly about Leicester Comedy Festival. This is the first one to be out there since I left the festival. Thanks so much to Richard Gill for inviting me on and for such a fun chat.‘
DR OLIVER DOUBLE (Head of Comedy and Popular Performance, School of Arts, University of Kent):
‘Richard Gill is probably the UK’s top comedy superfan, and his blog (and podcast) A Rich Comic Life is a rare and wonderful thing – a fan’s eye-view of comedy, documenting 50 years of comedy-going in obsessive detail. But it really goes beyond mere obsession. It’s driven by love – the love of laughter.‘
JAMES GILL (Co-Founder: Always Be Comedy):
‘Richard Gill is the king of comedy and has become as synonymous with British comedy as many of the great names he so clearly idolises. The comedy world is that much richer (pun absolutely intended) for having him in it. We’re not related, although I wish we were: Richard is the best. So many acts love the guy. What a tonic he is.’
ALAN DAVIES (Comedian):
‘As you’d expect, I went straight to my entry and I loved it! I don’t clearly remember those gigs from way back so it was nice to be reminded of them. Thanks.‘
JOE LYCETT (Comedian):
‘You are always a divine audience member. Mum listened to our podcast and said she really enjoyed it and that you were very knowledgeable and a good host. Thought you should know!‘
JOSH WIDDICOMBE (Comedian):
‘To my favourite Gill! Cheers mate.‘
HARRY HILL (Comedian):
‘Dear Richard, couldn’t have done it without you!‘
ARTHUR SMITH (Comedian):
‘You’re a comedy hero, Richard.‘
TOUSSAINT DOUGLASS (Comedian):
‘It was lovely to have a friendly face in the audience. And someone that genuinely loves comedy and is generous with their laughter really makes all the difference!‘
PATRICK MCGUINNESS (Comedian):
‘Some commitment there Richard. Keep up the good work.‘
SCOTT BENNETT (Comedian):
‘Richard has the best laugh in comedy!‘
JUSTIN MOORHOUSE (Comedian):
‘Your enthusiasm for comedy is infectious and your blog and you spreading the word – if it wasn’t for people like you who tell other people about comedy – we [the comedians] would be in a much poorer state.‘
KEVIN DAY (Comedian):
‘I really enjoyed this [chat]. Rich is so enthusiastic and knowledgeable about comedy. I had to check afterwards that I’d actually done some of the things he asked about!‘
JOHN HEGLEY (Comedian & Poet):
‘I would like to say that I was much engaged by the enthusiasm and knowledgeableness on your site, and the quotes from Bill Hicks and your thoughts on him gave me a heartening glow.’
LESLIE GOLD (Comedian and founder of Sofa SoFunny! Comedy Club):
‘Richard has attended many Sofa SoFunny! comedy events, and he’s also promoted our little night on his blog and social media outlets. It speaks volumes about his character as most people wouldn’t make the time or effort to be so supportive. He is a gentlemen and a true friend to comedy. Also: that laugh!’
JAMES ACASTER (Comedian):
‘If I was not a comedian, I would sit next to Richard Gill and encourage him to laugh all day.‘
ED GAMBLE (Comedian):
‘Rich, it was such a pleasure to see a friendly face in the crowd!‘
ROMESH RANGANATHAN (Comedian):
‘Richard, love you, mate!‘
JASON BYRNE (Comedian):
‘Could hear your wonderful laughter in the stalls. Richard, you’re such a good human! Thanks for all your support.’
MARTIN BESSERMAN (Promoter / compere: Monkey Business Comedy Club):
‘One of the most respected bloggers and reviewers in the UK, Richard Gill knows a quality show after [almost] 50 years of attending gigs. He also complimented me personally for putting on a superb show at Monkey Business Comedy Club.’
JACK HESTER (Comedian):
‘Richard Gill is the biggest audience legend on the British comedy scene.‘
BENJAMIN BANKOLE BELLO (Comedian) on behalf of President Obonjo:
‘Over the years, I have met quite a number of what I call comedy lovers – without them there would be no comedy industry. Richard Gill is one such comedy lover and I particularly like Richard’s podcast because it is an audience member leading the interview.‘
KIRI PRITCHARD MCLEAN (Comedian):
‘I just wanted to say I think what you do and how much you love comedy is utterly magical. Thank you.‘
ANIA MAGLIANO (Comedian):
‘It is so amazing to have someone who is so supportive and into live comedy, which makes it feel so worthwhile.‘
RACHEL PARRIS (Comedian):
‘You are the heart of Always Be [Comedy]! Thanks for all your support.‘
BRENNAN REECE (Comedian):
‘I think music and bands – they get real followings and I don’t think there are many people that out-and-out love comedy but it is clear that you do. I think you’re brilliant!‘
LILY PHILLIPS (Comedian):
‘Nicest man in comedy. Check out his blog!‘
MILTON JONES (Comedian):
‘Richard, I wish you were at all my gigs.‘
ANGELA BARNES (Comedian):
‘Richard, it’s always a joy to see your smiling face in the crowd.‘
ROB ROUSE (Comedian):
‘Always lovely to speak to one of the most enthusiastic supporters of comedians the length and breadth of the business. Tirelessly and selflessly this chap champions the world of clowns and it’s all the better place for him. Cheers Rich.‘
JACK BARRY (Comedian):
‘It was lovely to see you and hear your laugh again.‘
TOM WARD (Comedian):
‘Thanks for being such an awesome and loyal audience member.‘
TOM MAYHEW (Comedian):
‘I finally met comedy royalty Richard Gill and he was a perfect audience member as you’d expect!‘
NICOLE HARRIS (Comedian):
‘Thank you so much for coming to the show! I was so happy to see you and so pleased you enjoyed it.‘
NATHAN CASSIDY (Comedian):
‘Check out A Rich Comic Life blog – an incredible encyclopedia of comedy – a priviledge to be included! Thank you for all your support and love for comedy.‘
ROSE JOHNSON (Comedian):
‘An absolute tonic to see your face and hear your laugh as always Richard!‘
JO CAULFIELD (Comedian):
‘This man, Richard Gill, has seen over 700 comedians [and counting]. 700!! We should be clapping for HIM every Thursday night!‘
SION JAMES (Comedian):
‘We were honoured with the presence of the awesome Richard Gill who needs to be cloned to keep live comedy alive! Not all heroes wear capes! Some have an infectious loud laugh that helps fill a room with joyous enthusiasm and support live comedy like their life depended on it! Thanks so much for bringing your much needed love & laughter buddy!‘
ESHAAN AKBAR (Comedian):
‘Thank you Richard! You’re a legend!!‘
PATRICK MONAHAN (Comedian):
‘Thanks for coming to the show last night mate! Great to see you.‘
TONY LAW (Comedian):
‘Great to see you mate.‘
SEANN WALSH (Comedian):
‘The world is a better place with you, my friend.’
IAN SMITH (Comedian):
‘Richard is the nation’s favourite comedy fan, is the best laugher in the business and a very nice man.’
HAL CRUTTENDEN (Comedian:
‘I love Richard Gill – the biggest comedy super fan in the world. Sees more live comedy than any human being I’ve ever met and only exudes love and warmth after a show. What a wonderful man! I need Richard in the front row at every gig if it’s going to fly! You’re my favourite audience member ever!! Lovely to see you.’
MICHAEL LEGGE (Comedian):
‘Love all the support you give to comedians. You’re a great inspiration Rich! Thank you.’
JAMES DOWDESWELL (Comedian):
‘Legendary audiant. Raising a Theakston‘s to you Rich.’
CHARLIE BAKER (Comedian):
‘Rich is a lot of fun. His blog is smashing.’
RICH WILSON (Comedian):
‘I have nothing but love and respect for you Rich my friend, and I’d happily listen to you all day. What a life you’ve had! Can’t wait to see you and hear that magical laugh! Always a pleasure seeing you and thank you for always being so incredibly supportive.’
AISLING BEA (Comedian):
‘Particularly brill audience member.’
CHLOE PETTS (Comedian):
‘You’re the nicest all-time audience member.’
CHRIS RAMSEY (Comedian):
‘Top comedy fan. Lovely bloke.’
IAIN STIRLING (Comedian):
‘Always a pleasure to have your friendly laugh in the room.’
BRETT GOLDSTEIN (Comedian):
‘If you ever see Richard Gill in your audience, you can say a prayer of thanks. You are about to have your greatest gig. He is the living embodiment of the perfect audience member.’
LLOYD GRIFFITH (Comedian):
‘Amen to that! What a hero!’
JACOB HAWLEY (Comedian):
‘You’re a champion mate, thanks so much for the support. Means the world.’
MATT FORDE (Comedian):
‘You are always so kind and supportive, Thank you.’
TOM DEACON (Comedian):
‘Thanks for continuing to champion good comedy.’
PAUL MCCAFFREY (Comedian):
‘Always an absolute pleasure to see you mate. I wish you were at every gig.’
NICK HELM (Comedian):
‘Last night I bumped into the happiest man in town, Richard Gill. Love you mate. Fun night as always. Take care.’
JARLATH REGAN (Comedian):
‘You’re a legend of British comedy in your own right… Thanks for being such a supporter of comedy and comedians. We need more like you.’
DESIREE BURCH (Comedian):
‘Thanks for coming along and setting the audience bar so high.’
MAUREEN YOUNGER (Comedian):
‘Always good to have you in the audience, Richard.’
PAUL COX (Comedian):
‘Richard Gill is the most prestigious audience member an act could hope for. It’s people like him that make comedy what it is. And if I can do anything to help repay that I will.
Rich is Comedy Royalty. He has watched every comedian you can name. Been all over the shop to watch them too. It was an HONOUR to have him as a guest at Epic Comedy tonight. Rich, we salute you, sir!
Check out Rich, and his magnificent blog www.arichcomiclife.blog’
KATE MARTIN (Comedian):
‘So great to meet the legend that is Rich Gill!!’
MATT RICHARDSON (Comedian & DJ):
‘I think Richard Gill is the greatest single audience member in the country.’
FRED FERENCZI (Comedian):
‘It meant a huge amount to me to have Richard Gill see me for the first time gigging last night and critiquing my set. Richard is arguably the most knowledgeable comedy critic and fan not paid for the skill and experience he possesses. He takes his holidays to see numerous carefully selected acts at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe each year. He has seen hundreds of stand ups for nearly 50 years and records his thoughts for his own pleasure. A true comedy aficionado…’
JEN BRISTER (Comedian):
‘So lovely to have you in the audience.’
JONATHAN BOULTON (Co-Founder: Yalla Laughs – Abu Dhabi):
‘Richard is a comedy audience legend. He has seen them all from Les Dawson to Bill Hicks to Chevy Chase. He also supported me at the start of my comic journey.’
LENNY SHERMAN (Comedian):
‘Richard, I am very grateful for your kind words and support.’
BRENDAN O’DONAGHUE (Comedian):
‘Arguably the audience are equal to or even more important than the acts in creating a fun comedy night, and when it comes to contributing audience members, Richard Gill is king of the hill. He listens intently, laughs infectiously, always encourages, is very knowledgeable and really helps to make a lively and fun atmosphere. A very funny, genuine and warm man – put it this way, if Carling did audience members they would not be anyway near as good as Richard Gill. Richard brings great energy and attitude into a room. He has a huge impact on the night. The audience are the biggest factor in a show. He leads by example and it is great. He really does give a turbo boost to a comedy night and should be rightfully acknowledged for his great and encouraging fun contribution and his extensive knowledge of comedy.’
VIX LEYTON (Comedian):
‘Richard Gill should run courses on being the best audience member. When you see him in the crowd you know it is going to be a good night. He is quick and generous with his praise and a huge asset to the comedy community, as well as one of the nicest people you could hope to meet.’
FAMILY:
NICK GILL (Brother and Executive Creative Director of BBH London):
‘I think Rich has created a whole new literary genre here. His comedy blog is not rounded enough to be called a ‘review’, not critical enough to be deemed a ‘critique’. One might describe A Rich Comic Life as an ‘enthuse’. His words reflect only love and respect for the brave heroes and heroines he writes about. He is a champion of all and a knocker of none and should be praised for the encouragement he gives back to the many who give so much. Having listened to his interviews, Rich speaks with absolute authority – like an informed connoisseur – and is able to answer every question with a great historical anecdote. His love of comedy just shines through with so much affection and enthusiasm.’
FRIENDS:
IAN WOOD (Carlisle):
‘I’ve had the pleasure of being friends with Richard for nearly 50 years and it has been great to see the joy that he gets from his love of comedy. On trips to the [Edinburgh] Fringe seeing first-hand the warmth that the comics showed towards him was just rewards for the warmth and humour he shows himself to us all. All the luck in the world with your blog pal!’
IAN WILSHAW (London):
‘I have had the dubious pleasure of knowing Richard for over 15 years, including 4 glorious years sharing a flat with him. Two northerners together, searching for the meaning of life and enjoying all the entertainment that is on offer in London town! We started to see more comedy and eventually I joined him at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2008 and I haven’t missed one since. Richard plans a comprehensive Fringe itinerary for our stay – which never disappoints – due to his immense knowledge of the comedy circuit; not just established acts but also a sense of up and coming talent. Thank you Richard for sharing your passion and for many laughs over the years! Long may it continue!’
MARIA FREEMAN (London):
‘I have known Richard for over 20 years – we met at work, but soon gravitated to the pub and have had many a good night putting the world to rights. But only in the last few years have I had the opportunity to share his love of comedy when he persuaded me to come to the Edinburgh Fringe in 2014. I’ve been back every year since and this year – 2018 – I got to play the role as his official photographer, as he loves to meet the comedians after the show. His respect for their work is immense and his enthusiasm is genuine. He never has a bad word to say about any one. A Fringe experience curated by Richard involves the best of comedy, music and theatre. But a word of warning to the audience: if you sit next to Richard, beware, he rocks with enthusiasm, and laughs so loudly – which is why the comedians on stage can often hear his roar. What a legend!’
MARK DUQUENO (AKA ‘THE COMEDY NERD’) (Author of podcast Comedy In A Nutshell) (London):
‘I think I finally ran into Richard Gill at the Water Rats in North London in 2021, at one of Vix Leyton’s excellent Comedy Arcade panel shows. Rich and I were well aware of each other’s comedy pedigree by then and despite being surrounded by Vix Leyton, Rich Wilson, Robin Ince and Robin Morgan, we spent most of the remainder of the evening chatting with each other. Since then we’ve become firm friends in comedy and run into each other constantly, but now that we recognise each other, we can stop for a drink and a long dialogue about the exciting comedy we’ve seen since we last met. His blog A Rich Comic Life in which he archives the many shows he has seen over the years, has been called ‘a rare and wonderful thing’ and it’s a pleasure to know someone who loves live comedy (almost) as much as I do.’
JULIAN GRIEVES (Cumbria):
‘I look forward to reading the blog every week from my old friend who has the loudest laugh on the comedy circuit!’
JO BATY (London / Cumbria):
‘I met Richard at Carlisle Technical College too many years ago! He hasn’t changed. He has had that bellowing voice and laugh for years and for me, he sums up everything which is brilliant about being Cumbrian. Richard is loud, straight-talking and lives life to the full, enjoying every minute and appreciating everyone around him. He is a tonic. Richard has always loved comedy – his head is a massive filing cabinet (no offence, not saying your head is rectangular!) of facts and stories and jokes and hence his Blog came as no surprise – it had to happen!’
GUILHERME SOUZA (Work Colleague):
‘I have known and worked with Richard Gill for a number of years. He used to hold legendary quiz nights for the staff, and I was once invited along to one. It was then that I saw a different side to Richard. The administrator had turned into an entertainer. And a fine one at that! Everyone had a great night and, better still, all the money went to charity. Little I knew then that Richard had been doing the quiz for years, bringing friends together and had also been raising thousands of pounds doing different things for Comic Relief in the process. And that for me is a portrait of Richard. He is someone who loves his comedy, but above all someone who uses comedy to make the lives of everyone around him that little bit better. Be it to break the ice and make a new friend, to collect money for a good cause or simply to put a smile on the face of a colleague who is having a hard day. So, for me it does not come as a surprise that he has become arguably one of the most popular members of an audience on the comedy circuit. He’s seen all comedians great and small, he is the nicest bloke you can meet and I’ve heard he can even sing Bon Jovi… very badly, by all accounts. But that is beside the point because I think he is a true legend! And I am happy to work with such a great character every day.’
JAN SWANTON (London):
‘I think Rich’s blog is magical and unique.’
STEVE PLANT (Verwood, Dorset):
‘[I am] amazed (but not surprised) at the amount of comedy Richard has already seen since the start of 2018! Richard is a true legend and a devotee of the art form and his breadth of knowledge of the comedy scene over the years and anecdotes are extraordinary.’
TAMSIN STEPHENS (London):
‘Rich’s enthusiasm for comedy is all pervasive. Going to a gig with him is a truly immersive journey into his love bubble of all things comedic. His dedication to the genera is just epic – he knows everyone and everything on the topic past and present it seems, and his appetite to gather more insights is insatiable! It’s a joy to join him at a show and journey with him on his great adventure of comic discovery!’
JOHN CONWAY (London):
‘Just like to say that I think this blog is excellent and really going from strength to strength.’
LEWIS SPEDDING (Carlisle):
‘I have known Richard socially since around early 2004 and over the years I have so appreciated and admired his zest and passion for comedy and live theatre. I wish I was able to see more of him as he lights up any room with his love for all things comedy past and present. We talk and laugh for long periods together and Richard inspires laughter in us all. Bravo Richard, and I echo the sentiments from all those comedians in your blog, thanks a million for your laughs!!’
DAVID JAMES (Carlisle):
‘The remarkable thing about this blog is that it features so many comedians I’ve never heard of.’