On June 13th 2005, I performed my first ever stand-up gig. For the past thirteen years, comedy has gone from being an unhealthy interest to a lofty ambition to an actual career, and I'm very grateful for that.
Without comedy I definitely wouldn't have my moderately healthy outlook on life, nor would I have met my wife, worked in voiceover or started my wrestling company. It has been, without a shadow of a doubt, the career choice that I have thrived the most within, after years of trying and failing to do regular jobs. Basically, comedy has been very good to me and I have loved the last thirteen years. I've made a lot of friends and surprisingly few enemies (as far as I'm aware).
However, certainly for the next few months, I am taking a sabbatical from comedy to work full-time in the wrestling industry. I'm calling it a sabbatical as I may still do the occasional gig, or indeed need to return to the circuit if wrestling doesn't work out for me over the rest of 2018 and beyond. Working within wrestling is the ONLY thing I've ever wanted to do more than being a comedian, so please understand how long and hard that I've had to consider this.
I am very grateful to Sally for keeping me busy over the last few years and being the one who has had to take the flak when I've had to cancel work recently to do wrestling stuff. I'll also always be grateful to every single club and promoter who has booked me to perform and helped me go from being deadpan, nerve-riddled open spot to moderately competent award nominee. And obviously, I'm grateful to every single audience member who has laughed, even slightly, at me telling stories onstage for over a decade. The laughter will be the thing I miss the most over the next few months, one of the greatest buzzes anyone can ever get, making people laugh with something your brain came up with. I was never the funniest man on the circuit, but that doesn't mean I appreciated it any less.
I'm also aware of the irony of putting this statement out on the actual day I make an incredibly rare television appearance. Typical me, that.
I may end up doing a tour at some point around the launch of my book in late summer / autumn; and I'll still be putting out my podcast and ring announcing at PROGRESS shows. It's just time to step away from my regular bread-and-butter club gigs for a little bit and focus on my family when wrestling isn't keeping me busy.
Anyone who knows me well will be aware of how exciting the next few months are for me within the silly world of wrestling, so thank you if you've already said something nice to me. I'll miss sitting in green rooms talking nonsense with colleagues and above all else, making people laugh; but who knows what the future holds.
Lots of love
Jim x