Tom Mayhew is a critically acclaimed comedian, whose material about being working-class – mixing the personal, the silly and the political, with the punchline-rate of a one-liner comic – sets him apart from any other act on the circuit. His 2019 Edinburgh show I, Tom Mayhew, about being someone in their 20s living on benefits in austerity Britain, received 4 and 5 star reviews across the board, and transferred to a sell-out Soho Theatre run.
He adapted this show for his own radio series - Tom Mayhew is Benefit Scum - which aired on BBC Radio 4 in March 2021. It was also critically acclaimed, even receiving 4 stars in The Daily Mail! The show returned for a 2nd series in 2022.
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After dropping out of university, Tom found himself unemployed for three years. Living in a small town with no access to a car, he got stuck in a poverty trap, trying to fight against a system that punishes the poor. He eventually found work at a national supermarket chain, and through a mix of talent, persistence and sheer bloody mindedness managed to develop his comedy career. He has won both the Comedy Store’s legendary Gong Show and Brian Gittin's notorious Honk Show, was nominated for the Leicester Mercury Comedian Of The Year in 2017, and made the semi-finals of the BBC New Comedy Award in 2018.
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He has also written for The News Quiz (BBC Radio 4), NewsJack (BBC Radio 4 Extra), and performed on Radio 1 and BBC Radio 4 Extra. As an actor, he appeared as Timmy Truckface in Jordan Gray's acclaimed short film Tall Dark Friend.
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Despite all of the social and economic cards being stacked against him, Tom finds hope and humour in his family, who have remained resilient and strong despite everything they have had thrown at them. He is fighting for a better world for people like them, one joke at a time.
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Reviews:
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'Authentic material we can relate to: funny, sharp, intelligent, meaningful and pleasing. Mayhew is a voice that needs to be heard.’
★★★★ Chortle
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‘The hour is studded with delightful little one liners. It is genuine, powerful, political stuff. These are four stars for a voice that should be heard more. Four stars for comedy shining a light on some grim, unjust places.’
★★★★ The Scotsman
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‘Mayhew is passionate, articulate and – above all else – hilarious. His jokes are punchy, sharp and forthcoming. Despite the often weighty subject matter, laughs are never too far apart. Mayhew’s comedic voice should be heard, even if you don’t want to hear it.’
★★★★ The Skinny
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‘Quite simply an absolute gem of a performance.’
★★★★★ Edit
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'This is political comedy from a fresh and necessary perspective'
★★★★ The Wee Review
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'Tory-Hating Leftie'
★★★★ The Daily Mail
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Awards and Accolades:
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The Comedy Store King Gong Winner
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Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year Nominee (2017)
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Brian Gittins' Honk Show Winner
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Joke of the Fringe 3rd Place (2021)
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Malcolm Hardee Cunning Stunt Nominee (2023) - and the first act ever to be nominated for multiple stunts in one year
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The only act ever to do a full run of a virtual Edinburgh Fringe show, in 2021.