Complete stand-up novice to perform at Consett Comedy Festival

Consett Comedy Festival returns to the town for the fifth year and this special anniversary is being capped by Simon Brodkin’s return as a headliner, as seen on Live at the Apollo.

He will be accompanied in the line-up by Alun Cochrane, as seen on Mock the Week, and Will Burns, as seen on Britain’s Got Talent.

But they will be joined on stage by a total amateur.

Me, as seen in The Northern Echo.

Over the next few weeks I will be undergoing an intensive crash course, learning the ropes from the festival’s organiser Lee Woolhouse and North East stand-up legend Steffen Peddie, before taking to the stage to perform.

@joshua.nichol Join me on my journey to learn stand up comedy just weeks before my first gig. Help. Also, the marquee will be finished by the time the show comes around, don’t worry. #standup #consett ♬ original sound – Joshua Nichol

It is sure to be the longest five minutes of my life, it may be even longer for members of the audience…

Organiser Lee Woolhead is celebrating five years of Consett Comedy Festival this year. (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

In a month’s time, with the help of Steffen, I will be developing a routine and seeing just how difficult it is to make people laugh on purpose – and you will be able to join me along the journey which started in what will be the main stage of the festival at Consett Rugby Club on a bright but chilly March morning.

“Steffen is a proper comedy legend especially in the North East,” Lee said.

“He’ll teach you what’s right and wrong and the main thing is confidence.

“If you show the audience you’ve got nerves, they will eat you alive.

“If you go up there and you’re confident with it, even if what you’re saying is not that funny, people will stick with you because they’ll want you to do well.”

Mick Miller on stage at the Consett Comedy Festival. (Image: LEE WOOLHEAD)

The festival started life just after Covid and has comics like Mick Miller, Joe Pasquale, Gary Delaney and Seann Walsh perform.

It is now celebrating an important milestone of turning five and organiser Lee said it is one of the highlights of his year.

“I miss it,” he said.

“We’ve got to do it again, we can’t let people down. There’s a community of people now who keep me up for it, asking me how we’re getting on with Consett.”

Previously, when asked why he does it, Lee said: “It’s never been about making loads of money from it, it’s just been about bringing comedy to the North East.

“It’s been so successful because people recognise how authentic and quality it is.”

Join me on this journey – comment if you think I can do it, equally if you think it will be hopeless, tell me!

The Consett Comedy Festival runs from May 1 to May 2, 2026, at Consett Rugby Club, with tickets on sale now.