Des Clarke is one of the UK’s most exciting performers. He has made a name for himself as both a highly successful comedian and one of television and radio’s star presenters.
It all began for Des when he won a nationwide search to host the iconic Saturday morning show SM:TV Live. This weekly two hour broadcast showcased his abilities both as a comedian and presenter.

That forms part of an impressive TV career with presenting credits including The One Show, Breaking The News, Des Doesn’t Do, Hogmanay Live, Sport Relief Tryathlon, STV Appeal, Andy Murray Live, Club Cupid, Sportsround and Children in Need.

Not forgetting the honour of being asked to host the live Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony to a global TV audience of 1 billion viewers.

Des is a much loved voice on the airwaves too and can be heard waking up central Scotland every day as host of the Heart Breakfast Show. He also fronts hit comedy series Breaking The News on the BBC.

Stand-up comedy is Des’s first love and has received critical acclaim for his comedy, winning Chortle Best Newcomer and the ITV Golden Mic Award.

Having presented the very funny and eventful MacAulay and Co. on BBC Radio Scotland for almost 18 years and with a string of tv appearances, Fred’s on air witticisms and on screen reputation are the product of years of experience on the live circuit, including a stint as the first ever-Scottish compere at the Comedy Store in London.

Arriving late to the world of stand-up comedy in the early 90’s, he has gone on to be a regular at the Edinburgh Fringe and at comedy festivals worldwide. Appearances on many Radio 4 comedy panel shows including I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue, Just A Minute, The Unbelievable Truth and The News Quiz guarantee an audience for Fred’s Live stand-up tours.

He has successfully featured in and presented many programmes for BBC Scotland: he hosted the talk show McCoist and MacAulay and presented Life According to Fred, Hoots, Simply Fred and Scots on the Box.

On national BBC Television he has been a panelist on shows including Mock the Week, QI and Have I Got News For You. In addition, in the US he was a guest on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and his performance at The Montreal Comedy Festival has been shown coast to coast in North America as well.

He lasted 7 out of 11 nights when he sang on Comic Relief Does Fame Academy.

Before his comedy career took off, he studied at the University of Dundee and graduated with an MA in Accountancy and Jurisprudence.

He received an honorary doctorate (LLD) from the same University in 2006 in appreciation of his time there as Rector.

He is married with three grown up children. He is much in demand as an after-dinner speaker and awards presenter, which has taken him to Australia, Hong Kong, America, Iceland, France and Spain.

We are truly proud to have Fred as part of the Scottish comedian’s.

You’ve probably seen him in “Limmy’s show” and heard him on BBC Radio Scotland’s “Breaking the News” but what you may not know is that; Raymond Mearns has consistently been one of the top live stand-up comedians in the country for the past 20 years!

Successful Edinburgh Festival Fringe shows every year from 2011 to the present day have demonstrated Raymond’s considerable ability to keep his stand-up fresh, relevant and most of all extremely funny.

Described by Frankie Boyle as ‘a genuine improvisational genius’, Raymond can be seen regularly performing at venues all across the UK and frequently on the International Circuit.

If you want to see a great stand-up comedian combining awesome storytelling with moments of genuine improvisation then he’s your Man!

Marc is a regular panellist and writer on BBC Scotland’s satirical news show Breaking the News, has appeared on the new stand-up series The Comedy Underground (BBC Scotland) and BBC Radio 5Live’s Fighting Talk.

Marc sold out his entire run at the Edinburgh Festivals in 2019 & 2022, and recently sold-out the King’s Theatre during the Glasgow International Comedy Festvial.

Marc is a winner of the Scottish Comedian of the Year competition, is the host of the Some Laugh podcast and clips of his stand-up have amassed millions of views online, garnering hundreds of thousands of followers.

Billy Kirkwood is a touring stand-up comedian who brings a unique diversity that he balances with a wild and energetic onstage persona as a stand up comedian.

His quick wit, off-the-cuff antics, playful conversation and fast paced crowd work has earned him spots on some of the best stages in the world.

A Tattooed hysterical wild man with a lust for life.

Scottish Born and proud, but with a hunger for world connections that help him bringing a new perspective and incisive wit to thrilling effect.

5 time Scottish comedy award winner! Billy establishing himself as one of the United Kingdom’s most watchable and versatile acts, with a loveable on-stage presence that sees an expanding ever cult following thanks to his hysterical inventive energetic stand up performances, unique ability to make anything funny, mixed with an unbridled mischievous streak that’s charms audiences the world over.

– Winner of the Sir Billy Connolly Spirit Of Glasgow Award 2024

Susie took her first steps into comedy as part of a drunken dare. Most people have to do a shot or strip. Well, Susie was drunk with her clothes on and building a career out of it.

After a successful career working in the construction industry Susie has cemented herself as one of rising stars of UK stand up. Her rise through the ranks has been nothing short of meteoric.

She continues to be one of the fastest selling acts at the Glasgow international comedy festival, with multiple Scottish comedy awards under her belt for Best Headliner and Best Show which she collected for her Solo show Domestic Disaster. Susie even took it to Edinburgh Fringe for a sold out run in 2019.

Her raconteur style and sharp punchlines makes this Glaswegian one to watch.

Gareth is a Scottish stand up comedian who’s been steadily making a name for himself on the British comedy scene. He is a regular in ‘Best of Scottish’, ‘Best of the Fest’ and ‘Pick of the Fringe’ showcases at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

He has performed twice at Scotland’s T in the Park Festival, has supported Iain Stirling on tour and is currently supporting Tom Stade for the third year running on a mammoth UK tour. On TV and radio, Gareth has appeared on BBC Scotland’s ‘Comedy Underground’ STV’s ‘Edinburgh Festival’ show, ‘Live at Five’ and ‘The Late Show’ and more recently for BBC Radio 4, ‘The Good, The Bad and the Ugly’. He’s the host of two podcasts; ‘Too Mutch Information’ and ‘Two G’s in a Pod’ with fellow comedian Gareth Waugh. He recorded his first stand-up comedy special at the Stand in Edinburgh and it very quickly amassed over 20,000 views on YouTube. He returned to the Edinburgh festival in 2023 with a new show, ‘Belter’. The show was met with critical acclaim and made the long list for ‘BEST SHOW’ at The (ISH) Edinburgh Comedy Awards 2023. He continues to go from strength to strength, returning to the festival this summer, with his latest stand-up show ‘Modern Man’; which earned him a nomination for ‘BEST SHOW’ at The (ISH) Edinburgh Comedy Awards 2024.

“Naturally adept; produces gales of laughter” British Comedy Guide

In addition to being a TV warmup act, opening act for Jonathan Pie for the last 3 years, including 2 London West End theatre runs, and supporting John Bishop, Jason Manford, Tom Stade, Jenny Éclair and many others on various tour dates, Jojo has also starred on BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and was a standout act on BBC Scotland’s ‘Comedians at the Kings’. Jojo’s quick fire gags, and outrageously truthful storytelling ability has seen her gracing stages throughout Europe, The Middle East and Australia! Jojo is also a repeat return favourite for the military comedy base tour, entertaining the troops stationed overseas. Jojo won the 2020 Scottish Comedy Award for Best Show and a finalist in British Comedian Of The Year 2021.

2024 saw Jojo’s latest solo show “ I Wish You Were My Mum” nominated for The ISH comedy award best show at Edfringe

“You need to go and see Jojo…you will laugh…a LOT” – The Scotsman

Des McLean is a multi-award winning stand-up comedian, TV & Radio presenter.

Based in Glasgow, Des is in demand both throughout the UK and across the world. He has toured America, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and has even performed at the iconic Riviera in Las Vegas.

For TV, Des has presented on programmes for both BBC & STV. For radio, Des co-hosted the Clyde 1 Breakfast Show for 6 years, winning three prestigious Sony Radio Academy Awards.

On stage Des has appeared in a number of productions, including playing the lead role in Iain Pattison’s critically acclaimed play ‘I Tommy’, about the life of politician Tommy Sheridan.

In 2014, Des created ‘Des McLean’s A to Z of Scotland’ which he performed to audiences in a major tour.
In 2017, Des embarked on a nationwide tour with a brand new stand up show, and also created the online Sitcom ‘The Glasgow Trip’ with fellow comedian Gary Little which in 2019 was nominated for best online comedy at The Scottish Comedy Awards.
In 2021, Des took to the stage to play the lead role of Lisbon Lion Bertie Auld in the hilarious and heartwarming play Bend it like Bertie at Websters Theatre in Glasgow. The show, written by Glasgow playwright Jim Orr, was such a hit with theatre goers it embarked on a 2022 Scottish National tour.

In 2023, the play transferred to the Pavilion Theatre in Glasgow with a sell-out run, and then on to the iconic Westgate Theater in Las Vegas.

‘There’s a guy called, Des McLean – God I love him’ ! – Billy Connolly

Edinburgh’s own Gareth Waugh is one of Scotland’s most beloved comedians, known for his captivating storytelling, razor-sharp punchlines, and affable stage presence. With an uncanny ability to relate to audiences on multiple levels, Gareth weaves personal anecdotes and witty observations into every set, leaving a lasting impression on comedy fans across the UK.

Gareth’s growing list of accolades includes winning Radio Forth’s Big Comedy Audition, as well as being a two-time runner-up and three-time finalist in the Scottish Comedian of the Year competition.

A familiar face on TV, Gareth has appeared on BBC’s Scot Squad, hosted Comedy Underground, and performed in Edinburgh Festival Fringe on Friday. He was also a standout in the hit Saturday Night at The Stand live-streamed series, which became a lockdown favourite.

On radio, Gareth’s wit has been showcased on Radio 4’s The Speakeasy, The John Moloney Show, and Radio 4 Extra Stands-Up. He is also a regular panelist on BBC Radio Scotland’s Breaking the News, as well as The Good, The Bad and The Unexpected and Live at the Stand.

In addition to headlining his own shows, Gareth has been selected as tour support for some of comedy’s biggest names, including Daniel Sloss, John Bishop, Katherine Ryan, Jamali Maddix, and many more.

‘Gareth is smart, witty and good company, with a deceptively polished delivery’ – The Scotsman

BBC Breaking the News star Jay Lafferty has become a regular face on BBC Scotland’s television channel.

It was a performance on BBC’s Breaking The News that saw Lafferty hit the front page of The New York Times!

After being crowned Best Compere at the Scottish Comedy Awards in 2019, in 2022 Jay was nominated for Best Compere in the Chortle Comedy Awards narrowly missing out to TV favourite Zoe Lyons.

Jay also cemented her spot as the host of the Edinburgh Fringe cult late night show Late N Live at the Gilded Balloon. Jay continues to develop her reputation as a show anchor and is now a guest host for Breaking The News.

Jay has been performing comedy since 2005 working all over the UK as well as performing in New York, Los Angeles, Toronto. An experienced stand-up Jay has an easy manner on stage, instantly connecting with her audience .

Jay’s friendly and relaxed persona allows her to get away with the darker jokes that punctuate her material. Her comedy has been described as chocolate covered hand grenades. Don’t be mistaken Jay’s personality can melt butter – sometimes by using a flamethrower. Clever material delivered with effortless charm and packing a bite every bit as bad as its bark. An experienced writer and performer Jay has worked on a number of hit BBC Scotland and BBC Four radio shows and one of the longest running panellists on Radio Scotland’s Breaking The News.

We are very proud to have Jay as part of The Scottish Comedians.

Ray Bradshaw is an international multi-award winning comedian who has performed shows all over the world. He is about to embark on his fourth UK tour. ‍

Ray is a regular feature on UK television and can be heard on national radio weekly. He has previously been support forJohn Bishop on his arena tour as well as numerous times for Frankie Boyle.

Ray’s also has his own podcast called Fantasy Fives – we are so pleased to have Ray join the cast of The Scottish Comedians!