Northern Ireland

Comedian Paddy Raff on his 'first foray into TV'

Comedian Paddy Raff has secured his first television show
Comedian Paddy Raff has secured his first television show Comedian Paddy Raff has secured his first television show

WITH his hilarious observations on life in Northern Ireland, Paddy Raff has provided a comedic outlook for people during the months of lockdown.

His humorous sketches about life in quarantine have been shared thousands of times across social media platforms and has seen the west Belfast funnyman's popularity soar.

And that success, despite the lockdown, has led to the comedy star secure his own television show with hopes high that a series will follow.

But for the 36-year-old stand-up comedian, recent months during the Covid-19 crisis have been "bitter-sweet".

Speaking to the Irish News from Donegal where he is spending time away with his family, he said: "It's been hard for comedians, for their shows to be cancelled, but lucky enough my online presence has soared.

"But that's bitter-sweet for me when you think what a tough time it has been for so many people who have lost family during this time."

It's been a whirlwind two years for Paddy after he made the decision to follow his comedy dreams. He has sold out arenas and his characters of Nigel, Fr Pat and Granny Raff have become household names.

When the coronavirus pandemic struck earlier this year and gigs were postponed and work called off, for many comedians it could have heralded a complete break from the business.

But for Paddy, his popularity has rocketed.

In recent months, he has been documented life in coronavirus quarantine in his own funny style with people able to relate to his sketches, which have included everything from the family Zoom quiz to trying to socially distance with children.

"I never thought that people were going to have an appetite for comedy during lockdown," he said.

"But there has been such a surge, people have been looking for something funny and light-hearted to see them through."

While the comedian had already been in talks about a pilot TV show before the pandemic, instead of the plans being put on hold, they were accelerated at a faster pace than the father-of-two could ever have expected.

The Paddy Raff Show is set to air on BBC NI next week, which the comedian describes as a "dream come true".

"I've been linked up with the producer Chris Jones since last April and we had a few ideas," he said.

"Over lockdown the BBC asked us to pitch and myself and Chris put our heads together and came up with a sketch show.

"It's very much me and my observations, with all the favourite characters, Nigel, Fr Pat and Granny Raff and some new characters."

The half-hour programme was written and performed by the comedian and mostly filmed at home.

The self-shot skits are blended with comical character sketches, including where Paddy dons a wig to morph into favourites introduced to audiences at his recent sell-out stand-up shows, such as Nigel the snobby social butterfly and his friends the Bravo-Tango Niners in Belfast’s most affluent postcode.

Fr Pat, the techno music loving priest who is on an interactive mission to rave as well as to save his secular congregation, and Granny Raff, the senior citizen with a sharp tongue are also featured.

There's also comedy parody songs and Paddy’s sharp witted observations of life in Belfast.

"It's my first foray into TV, it was a very quick turnaround, but it's topical and fresh," he said.

"This is a pilot episode, but I hope we get a series out of it."

The Paddy Raff Show will be broadcast on BBC One NI on July 10 at 9.30pm.