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Dave’s stand-up career began in 1992
after many years writing routines and sketches for other comedians, TV
and radio. He was 50% of the legendary double act ‘Spikey and Sykey’
who’s most notable success was on Central TV’s ‘New Faces’ show where
they finished a close third to a Todmorden whippet juggler and a
Latvian plumber who played ‘I’ve got sixpence, jolly jolly sixpence’
on a radiator. After reaching this zenith of achievement, ‘Spikey and
Sykey’s’ career inevitably plummeted and they split up in Scarborough
soon afterwards over an argument concerning fish**.
**It was a haddock
Since that fateful day, Dave has spent
the intervening years developing a variety of first class sets to
cater for every audience. Dave has a distinctive style and approach to
comedy; The Guardian described him as “a comic who walks a tightrope
between the comedy of the everyday and the surreal, pausing
occasionally to place a foot down firmly on either side." Dave is
indeed one of the very few comedians who works with great success in
both the Alternative & Mainstream arenas making him the perfect choice
for corporate entertainment. He is an inherently funny man, incredibly
versatile with the ability to make even the dreariest of subjects
hilariously funny and create hilarious stories out of seemingly
mundane events. He glides seamlessly between the everyday and the
surreal and has the rare gift of being uniquely universal and
appealing to all types of audiences.
Dave is in great demand on the corporate
circuit. As an ex - haematologist, and with many years experience in
the NHS, he is particularly well-suited to medical, healthcare and
phamacutical conferences and events. Previous clients include BP,
National Power, BUPA, Norweb, Zeneca , Glaxo, Comet, National
Conference Personnel Officers, British Airways – Singapore, Salvesson
Corporation, Mitsubishi and Bayer plc. He has also performed at
national conferences for: - Rotary Clubs ,TUC , Health Service
Managers, British Society of Haematology, Pharmacists, Nurses and NBTS
to name but a few.
Dave has many TV appearances to his name
as a stand-up comedian, game show presenter – he hosted ITV’s popular
game show "Chain Letters" - and Actor. He is perhaps most recognisable
as the compere without compare, the inimitable "Jerry St Clair" in
Channel 4’s hit TV series "Phoenix Nights"
His writing credits are also impressive and he was awarded ‘The
British Comedy Award’ for ‘Best New TV Comedy’ for "That Peter Kay
Thing" which he co-wrote with Peter Kay. Their credits also include
"The Services" and "Phoenix Nights" series one and two.
More recently, Dave has written a six
part series for ITV which is currently in production with Red
Production company. Dave is set to make a welcome return to our TV
screens co-staring alongside Johnny Vegas in the show which is
scheduled for primetime transmission on ITV in January 2005.
Dave has rapidly reached cult status
since the success of Phoenix Nights and is now one of the most sought
after acts on the national comedy circuit. In 2003 he completed his
first nationwide stand-up tour, ironically entitled the “Overnight
Success” Tour. The critically acclaimed show earned Dave the
“Performance of the Year” Award at the Manchester Evening News Theatre
Awards and “Best Comedy Performance” at the Leicester Mercury Awards.
Dave performed to sell-out audiences and
received rave reviews and standing ovations. Demand for tickets was
phenomenal prompting Dave to schedule a second leg in the Autumn of
2003 taking in a further 27 venues around the country. He will be
embarking on his second nationwide tour, entitled “Living The Dream”
in the Spring of 2005.
Dave’s first live stand-up video was released in November 2003 and
sold over 75,000 copies achieving a Gold Retail Performance Award.
What the Papers Say
"A name to watch out for. A rare talent indeed" The Stage
"Brilliantly Versatile” City Life
"His delivery and timing are quite
exceptional" The Scotsman
"Brilliant" Daily Mirror
"A true star" "Nina Myskow"
“Dave Spikey is one of the most
original, funniest men to have emerged in years” The Stage
“Relaxed, visual and hilariously funny”
Time Out
"Sell your first born for one ticket to
see Dave Spikey …an evening of absolute quality" The North West
Evening News
"The other comedy genius from Phoenix Nights" ‘Jack’ Magazine
"Smart, unpretentious Stand-up with the co-star of Phoenix Nights"
The Guardian
"The hottest ticket in town…once word really starts to get around that
here's a star in his own right we'll be witnessing a ticketing rush of
Peter Kay proportions” Morecambe Today
“His easy patter, affable demeanour and assured stage-craft acts as
the perfect foil for his astute eye for detail in the everyday
absurdities of life, sprinkled with a few well-placed flights of
fancy. That, allied to timing that is Swiss-watch perfect, makes for a
formidable combination.” Manchester Evening News
“Go and see a master at work. If Phoenix Nights is known as the TV
series which has made Peter Kay a star then it should also be
responsible for turning Dave Spikey into a household name"
Lancashire Evening Post
Stand-Up Comedy Awards
North West Comedian of the Year "Club Mirror" – Best New Act
Radio & TV Appearances
"The Stand-Up Show" BBC TV "Jonathan Ross Show" ITV, "Patter
Merchants" Scottish TV, "You Must Be Joking" Central TV, "Lunchtime
Live" Granada TV, "Pebble Mill" BBC TV, "Whats New" (Series) Granada
TV, "Dani Dares" Channel 4, "Celebration" Granada TV, "Prince and
Spikey" BBC/GMR, "Spikey and Shepherd" BBC/GMR, "WOW"BBC/GMR, "Spikeys
Xmas Special" BBC/GMR, "Houghton Weavers Show" BBC Radio 2.
Presenting & Producing
Host "Chain Letters" (40 shows) - Tyne Tees TV
Presenter "Lunchtime Live" - Granada TV
Associate Producer "Stand Up Britain" - Granada TV
Writing
Co writer "Whats New" - Granada TV
Co writer "Mad for It" - Granada TV
Co Writer "The Services" – Channel 4
Co writer "That Peter Kay Thing" – Channel 4
Co writer "Phoenix Nights" Channel 4
Co writer "Phoenix Nights II" Channel 4
Writer “Dead Man Weds” for ITV
Writing Awards and Nominations
2000 "That Peter Kay Thing" - British Comedy Award - Best New Comedy
2002 "Phoenix Nights" - "Broadcast" Nomination - Best Comedy
2002 "Phoenix Nights" Royal Television Society Nomination - Best
Comedy
2003 “Phoenix Nights” Royal Television Society Award - Best Situation
Comedy And Comedy Drama.
Acting
Dave "Whats New?" - Granada TV
Alan "Making Out" - BBC TV
Simon "Jack and the Beanstalk" – Gracie Fields Theatre, Rochdale
Prison Guard "New Statesman" - Yorkshire TV
B B Wolf "Red Riding Hood" - Gracie Fields Theatre
Dave "Mad for it" - Granada TV
Jerry St Clair "That Peter Kay Thing" Channel 4
Jerry St Clair "Phoenix Nights" Channel 4
Jerry St Clair "Phoenix Nights II" Channel 4
Taxi Driver "Clocking Off" - BBC TV
Pemberton "Buried" - BBC TV
Gordon Garden “Dead Man Weds” - ITV
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