POSTMAN by day and comedian by night, Tom Glover, has just started his second year in stand up comedy.
The former View from Bridport reporter joined the Royal Mail in December in a bid to find a day job that fitted in around his comedy exploits.
Gigging since 2010, Tom has appeared at venues from Manchester to Brighton and closer to home is the resident compere of the Bridport Arts Centre's Comedy Cafe.
Tom, 24, has also recently launched his own business The Comedy Circus, running one-off comedy nights in venues across the west country.
Last week Tom appeared on BBC One's Winter Wipeout, crashing out in the first round.
The next BAC Comedy Cafe is this Friday, January 27th at 8pm.
DID you enjoy your TV debut on Winter Wipeout?
It wasn't too cringeworthy, they could have made me look a lot worse. I was gutted to miss out on the second round by seven seconds though, and also I couldn't believe they didn’t show me pole dancing with Amanda Byram acting as a makeshift pole, I think that would have made a few guys jealous.
HOW did you end up getting into stand up comedy?
I’d always wanted to do it but never had the confidence. The problem is, unlike most art forms, the only way to do it is in front of an audience and there is only so much you can do to prepare. I did a few local am dram shows to get some stage confidence, booked a gig and then started writing material and practising it in front of the mirror at home.
WHAT was that first gig like?
Terrifying. I was on last in the line-up so spent two hours listening to the crowd getting more and more nervous. The actual performance was a bit of a blur but I got some laughs and it was enough for me to want to try it again. It was only a five minute set, which seems like nothing now, but at the time it seemed like forever.
HOW did your job at the View from Bridport help you with your act?
It really helped my writing skills. Writing news stories is similar to writing jokes, you want to get to the point in as few words as possible. Some of my experiences also appear in my act from time to time as well.
WHAT kind of gigs have you been involved in and where have you been performing?
Every gig is different but more often than not I’ll be on in the middle sandwiched between the pros. I’ve gigged to two or three hundred in theatres but also to eight other comedians in a leisure centre function room.
WHAT have been your best and worst moments on the stand up circuit?
I used to be really worried about being heckled but actually it’s much worse when people just aren’t paying attention. That happens from time to time, and it’s horrible, but there is not a lot you can do about it. My best moment was performing to a crowd of 200 in Sturminster Newton. I did a set full of material about the West Country and they loved it. Afterwards people were coming up to me, shaking my hand and telling me how much they enjoyed it. Those gigs are great because you're buzzing for hours afterwards.
WHEN is the next BAC comedy cafe and what is it all about?
I set up the Comedy Cafe to give new acts a place to come and perform. For amateur stand up there is nowhere to perform between Exeter and Bournemouth so there was a gap in the market. Each month we have five new acts and a professional headliner. Entry is only £5 so it’s good value for money and you get to see some great new talent. Our next show is on January 27th and my favourite headliner on the circuit, Wes Packer, will be performing.
WHAT advice would you give to anyone who would like to have a go at stand up?
Just book an open spot and then worry about it afterwards. Once you’re on stage just be confident and make sure you know what you're going to say, have material prepared. At the end of the day it’s only five minutes of your life and whatever happens you probably won’t die, not literally anyway.
WHICH three famous people would you like to have round for dinner?
I would have Morrissey, the lead singer of The Smiths. He is the greatest songwriter of all time and such an intriguing character. The other two people I’d have are Frank Skinner and Russell Brand, they’re my two favourite comedians and were both an inspiration to me to start comedy.
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