Comic set to take to the stage at town’s arena
TELEVISION comic and prankster Lee Nelson is the latest addition to the stand-up programme at Middleton Arena.
He has extended his tour, Serious Joker, due to huge demand and will be on stage in Middleton for the first time on Friday, October 13
Over the last few years, the comedian’s high-profile stunts have hit the headlines, including fooling Simon Cowell by faking his way onto a live audition for Britain’s Got Talent dressed as a Jewish orthodox rapper.
He created one of the most iconic images in recent times when, as Premier League footballer Jason Bent, he showered FIFA president Sepp Blatter with bank notes at the organisation’s headquarters in Zurich.
The incident made the front pages of the Times, Telegraph, Guardian and Independent.
He has also delivered custom-made swastikaemblazoned golf balls to Donald Trump during a televised press conference and rechristened Sir Philip Green’s £100 million yacht the BHS Destroyer.
Lee burst onto the scene clad from baseball cap to white trainers in sportswear logos and cheap-and-chunky bling, fag behind the ear and can of Stella in hand.
Now suited and booted, a more thoughtful Lee has begun to engage with life outside his estate and is grappling with bigger issues.
As well as writing and starring in Lee Nelson’s Well Good Show and Lee Nelson’s Well Funny People on BBC Three, he has hosted and twice appeared as a guest on Live at the Apollo on BBC One.
He has also performed on shows including Sunday Night at the Palladium (ITV) and The John Bishop Christmas Show (BBC One), as well as releasing a live stand-up DVD.
Additional television credits include Channel 4’s Comedy Gala, Absolutely Fabulous (BBC One) and Children in Need (BBC One).
He has taken six solo shows to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where he won the Writer’s Guild Award for Best Newcomer.
Graham Duckworth, entertainments manager at Middleton Arena, said: “It’s great news that Lee Nelson has chosen Middleton as one of the venues for his latest show, which is getting superb reviews all over the country.
“He is often in the headlines for sneaking into places he shouldn’t be.
“But now people can come and see him where he most definitely should be – live on stage.”
Tickets cost £20 and are on sale now at www. middletonarena.com or www.seetickets.com, vy calling 0300 303 8633, or in person at Heywood Civic Centre.