Award winning comedian, juggler, and all-round entertainer Steve Royle is bringing some of his Britain’s Got Talent magic to the Salt and Tar Comedy Weekender in Bootle this weekend!
The multi-talented Lancashire performer wowed judges as he finished third in the 2020 ITV show.
The show took place during the Covid lockdown and Steve says people still come up to him now and thank him for bringing them laughter during those toughest of times.
For years, the father-of-three was encouraged by family and friends to audition for Britain’s Got Talent, but didn’t expect to get far. However in August 2020, Steve became the first act sent through to the final, impressing judges with his comedy juggling routines.
This was the latest journey in his rich 30-year history in the world of entertainment.
Steve previously charmed the judges in the audition round, with his impressive juggling skills, using his mouth to juggle ping-pong balls before juggling three guitars.
His semi final performance was a huge change for Steve, who is used to feeding off an audience’s live reaction – the show had to be pre-recorded due to the pandemic, and social distancing, and saw Steve perform to a huge Zoom wall of viewers, as well as the show’s judges.
The grand final took place in October 2020 and Steve was placed third overall, a wonderful conclusion to an amazing run on the show.
At the Salt and Tar Comedy Weekender, Steve will join comedian and host Brendan Riley in hosting a Family Fun Day this Bank Holiday Sunday (28th May 2023), with tickets just £5 each.
Join them for a funtastic afternoon of entertainment for all the family with Comedy Bingo and star of Britain’s Got Talent – Steve Royle
This isn’t just fun for the kids, they promise to keep the grown-ups laughing as well.
Doors at the new Salt and Tar venue in Bootle, next to The Strand shopping centre, open at 12pm, with the show starting at 1pm.
Steve said: “I am really looking forward to coming and performing at the Salt and Tar Comedy Weekender!
“I do a lot of work with Brendan Riley and Val Brady, who are organising this, their events are always really fun.
“Staging a Family Fun Day ios a great idea.
“It’s going to be all-encompassing, the event will be suitable for children, mums and dads, grandparents, people of all ages.
“We love attracting new demographics of people to come and enjoy live comedy!”
Steve has enjoyed a superb 30 year career in comedy and entertainment.
It includes being a Gillard Award winning presenter on BBC Radio Lancashire.
He recently completed his 17th consecutive pantomime at The Grand Theatre in Blackpool, and his 22nd Pantomime in total. He was made an honourary member of The Friends Of The Grand in 2016 for his services to the theatre.
Last year he starred, to critical acclaim, in the world premiere tour of Naturally Insane: The Life of Dan Leno and is taking the show to the West End in London.
In 2015 he performed 16 nights at The Manchester Arena as part of the Phoenix Nights Live show, helping raise well over £ 5 million for Comic Relief in the process.
He spent many years as special guest on Dave Spikey’s Tours and has supported several other top comedic names including Peter Kay, Mick Miller, Roy Walker and The Lancashire Hotpots. He was also the first comic, ever, to act as warm-up for The Royal Variety Show featuring Take That, Rod Stewart, Barry Manilow and Meatloaf.
Steve’s first love, however, is stand-up comedy and it is a job that has taken him all over the world: Cruises in the Med, Norwegian Fjords and the Caribbean, hotels and comedy clubs in Hong Kong, Dubai, Crete, Cyprus, Turkey and Japan.
For over 12 years Steve could be found in the guise of ‘Mad Edgar’ the court jester at Camelot theme park in Chorley where he presented over 2,000 ‘Crazy Juggling Shows’.
Starring on Britain’s Got Talent, and finishing in the top three, has been one of his career highlights.
He said: “My Mum was shocked I didn’t get anything for third place on Britain’s Got Talent!
“She said even in a church raffle you get a book token for third place!
“I have been a stand up comedian, juggler and entertainer for 30 years, but appearing on TV in Britain’s Got Talent has given me a much bigger profile with people. Millions of people watch the show.
“I appeared during lockdown, which was a really difficult time for everyone.
“Lots of people who saw the shows still come up to me now and say ‘thank you, you got me through lockdown by making me laugh’.
“It means a lot.
“It was a tough time for entertainers during lockdown, we all feared we would never work again!
“The Government seemed to be saying that entertainment was no longer needed, there was no support.
“I am glad that we are through it all now.
“Lockdown however was a time of huge creativity. Entertainers came through it learning how to entertain people through Zoom, or developed new material and new acts.
“It’s fantastic to see everyone being able to perform again, and I’m really pleased to see new events such as the Salt and Tar Comedy Weekender in Bootle.
“What can people expect from our Family Fun Day?
“Utter nonsense really! Lots of comedy, juggling, slapstick, we’re goig to have a great time.
“In Britain’s Got Talent, Simon Cowell said I was like an end of the pier entertainer.
“There will be something for everyone!
Tickets are now on sale at: bigcomedyuk.com
A stellar line-up at the Salt & Tar Comedy Weekender in Bootle will see Chris McCausland, Patrick Monahan and Nina Gilligan star in the curtain-raising Comedy Night on Friday 26th May.
Saturday 27th May sees a Family Fun Day with Martin Bigpig Mor and Brendan Riley ahead of a Disco Bingo night hosted by Brendan Riley.
Sunday 28th May sees Steve Royle and Brendan Riley host a Family Fun Day ahead of a gig featuring Jason Byrne, Jo Caulfield and Scott Bennett with host Brendan Riley.
All the gigs will take place at Salt and Tar, Bootle’s brand-new events space.
- The first Salt & Tar Comedy Weekender will take place at Salt & Tar in Bootle on 26th – 28th May 2023. Tickets can be purchased at bigcomedyuk.com
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