Jason Byrne reveals new Southport Comedy Festival date following heart surgery

Comedian Jason Byrne is looking forward to returning to Southport after undergoing heart surgery.

The 49-year-old comic was due to perform at Southport Comedy Festival at Victoria Park on Thursday (7th October) as part of his Audience Precipitation tour, but had to pull out due to a newly-diagnosed heart condition.

The Dubliner, described as ‘the king of Southport Comedy Festival’, has had five stents inserted.

Organisers have just announced a new date – Jason will now gig at Southport Little Theatre on Hoghton Street in Southport on Sunday, 5th December.

People with existing tickets for Jason’s original gig will be able to use them for the new show, while anyone who can’t make the new date can claim a refund. Tickets for the new show are available via the Southport Comedy Festival website: southportcomedyfestival.com

In a video posted to his Twitter page, Jason Byrne explained that after going for a run recently, he felt pains in his chest.

He said: “I went to A&E… got loads of tests and eventually they found three blockages so around early October, we’re going to have to get a couple of stents thrown in.

“I had… heart professors all around me telling me exactly what was wrong with me, so my heart hasn’t enlarged, there’s no blood clots, it’s actually hereditary.”

He has since shared an update on Instagram to inform friends and fans that his surgery had gone well and he was now recovering in St Vincent’s Hospital.

The funnyman posted a photo of himself tucked up in a hospital bed, wearing headphones.

Comedian Jason Byrne in hospital after his heart operation

Jason quipped: “All done. Ended up with five stents n (sic) a pair of horns”, referring to his hair in the photo.

He added that his condition was due to cholesterol build up over the years and genetics and thanked the staff at the hospital.

Southport Comedy Festival organiser Brendan Riley said: “It is brilliant news that Jason is returning to Southport for a new date, we are really pleased to announce this one.

“I am glad his operation went well. He is already sitting up and Tweeting from his hospital bed, he is on the mend. He’s told us he’s bored, and can’t wait to get back on the road!

“He was just starting his new tour, revving to get back out after lockdown and enjoying it when he had to go into hospital. Thank God he is alright. I am so pleased for him.

“Everyone who has existing Jason Byrne tickets can keep them and use them for the new date. Anyone who can’t go will get a refund. We always stand by our customers to give them their money back if they want it.

“We still have tickets for the new date on sale via the Southport Comedy Festival website.

“Jason is the king of Southport Comedy Festival. He always sells out, he has a huge following here.

“Southport Comedy Festival without Jason is like Southport Air Show without the Red Arrows! “His is the one show where everyone asks us ‘when is Jason performing’? People are always really keen to see him.

“We are looking forward to welcoming him back to Southport.”

Jason Byrne’s Audience Precipitation will see him perform at Southport Little Theatre with his brand-new show, that most people can’t pronounce.

It will feature all sorts of hilarious stories from this unusual past year, from a quiz show in his toilet, river dancing in his living room, to getting banned from Tik Tok.

Jason connects with the audience in a way no other comic can. Every show is different, special and unique to that crowd on the night. Jason, together with the audience, creates absolute magic in the room, using only the mic as his wand.

His TV credits include: Live at the Apollo (BBC1), The Royal Variety Performance (ITV1), The John Bishop Show (BBC1), Father Figure (BBC1) Ireland’s Got Talent (Virgin) and Wild Things (Sky1).

Southport Comedy Festival, which opened on 1st October and is sponsored by Anthony James Estate Agents, sees more top comedians perform this week.

Tuesday sees Anthony James Estate Agents host a very special Comedy Bingo night, providing 300 places – for free – to NHS and care workers to thank them for all they have done during the Covid pandemic. Local companies have provided some superb prizes. The event is already at full capacity.

A Disco Bingo night will be held on Saturday, 16th October, to raise funds for Southport Flower Show and Victoria Park, through a full night of traditional style Disco and Bingo but with a modern twist!