V Fest comedy round-up: Funny times ahead for festival-goers

The Ticket takes a look at the top comedy acts not to be missed.

Saturday

Joe Lycett

Brummie comic Joe Lycett is best-known for his appearances on TV shows, such as Live At The Apollo, Taskmaster, Never Mind The Buzzcocks and 8 Out Of 10 Cats.

He also performed at The Royal Variety Performance on ITV last year.

The Hall Green-born star, aged 28, was a finalist in the 2011 BBC New Comedy Awards and at his debut stand-up show in 2012 was nominated for the Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards.

On the radio, meanwhile, Joe has been a guest for Scott Mills, Greg James and Nick Grimshaw on Radio 1.

The Rubberbandits

If you fancy something a little out of the ordinary while at V, check out wacky Irish comedy duo The Rubberbandits.

The pair, made up of Blindboy Boatclub (Dave Chambers) and Mr Chrome (Bob McGlynn), are best known for concealing their identities with plastic carrier bags made into masks.

Though the act is now primarily a stage and TV act, their initial exposure arose from recorded prank calls.

Since gaining popularity, the duo have performed throughout the UK, Ireland and the US, performing at event such as Eletric Picnic and the Bulmers International Comedy Festival.

They rose to real prominence when the pair created a music video in 2010 named Horse Outside, which went viral on YouTube.

The Rubberbandits were named Best Irish Act at the entertainment.ie awards and won an IFTA award for Horse Outside.

Dave Hill

Ready to tickle crowds’ funnybones at Weston Park – all the way from Cleveland, Ohio – is Dave Hill.

The comedian, radio host, writer, musician and actor frequently appear as a panellist on Comedy Central’s @midnight show, and has had roles on shows such as Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and Inside Amy Schumer.

As well as performing alongside fellow comedians, Dave also regularly performs with musical acts such as Snoop Dogg and Ryan Adams.

Showing off his musical talents, Dave also wrote the theme tune for Last Week Tonight With John Oliver, which is performed by Dave’s band Valley Lodge. He was also a member of 1990s alternative band Sons Of Elvis.

Rob Deering

English comedian Rob Deering performs stand-up with the use of a guitar, a loop pedal and his voice.

The star has played many solo shows at the Edinburgh Fringe since he started out in 2000. He is also known for his late-night comedy pop quiz Beat This, which has gone down a storm in places such as London’s South Bank and Wales’ Green Man Festival.

Rob has also won Celebrity Mastermind and a comedians’ special of The Weakest Link.

Michael Fabbri

Brighton-based Michael Fabbri has been a stand-up comedian since 2003 and regularly plays clubs across the UK and all over the world.

Michael has worked as a writer for Radio and TV – and most recently had his own stand-up series named Dyslexicon on BBC Radio 4.

He has also performed numerous solo shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and supported comedians such as Micky Flanagan and Lucy Porter.

Critics who have seen his previous shows have described Michael as ‘extremely sharp’, ‘completely unrepeatable’ and ‘hugely enjoyable’.

Sunday

Joel Dommett

Funnyman Joel Dommett shot to fame following a stint on I’m A Celebrity . . . Get Me Out Of Here last year, which saw him come second to Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt.

He is also known for playing the recurring role of DC Sweeney in Skins.

The Gloucestershire-born comedian has also appeared on Impractical Jokers UK and Live In Chelsea.

Lee Nelson

Simon Brodkin will entertain comedy fans at V Festival on Sunday with his cheerful ‘chav’ character Lee Nelson.

The 39-year-old Camden-born star is well known for taking part in pranks (as his numerous comedy characters) – some of which have resulted in prosecution. Eek! Some of his better-known pranks include him running on stage during Kanye West’s show at Glastonbury Festival in 2015 – and trying to perform alongside him – and his running on to the pitch at Goodison Park, attempting to warm up with the Manchester City team. He was given a six-month conditional caution for the latter, despite having initially been charged with pitch encroachment.

TV shows the star is known for appearing on include Let’s Dance For Comic Relief, John Bishop’s Christmas Show and Lee Nelson’s Well Good Show.

Seann Walsh

A familiar face at V Festival, Seann Walsh is a London-born comedian known for shows such as Celebrity Juice, 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Never Mind The Buzzcocks and Play To The Whistle.

His stand-up style has been described as ‘impressively universal, gag-heavy and observational’.

Seann is currently on tour with his hit show One For The Road as well as starring in Jack Dee’s brand ITV new sitcom Bad Move.

Scott Bennett

This Yorkshire funnyman started comedy in 2009, delivering wry observations on the absurdity of modern life.

In 2013 and 2015 he was selected to perform in the prestigious Big Value showcase show for Just the Tonic at the Edinburgh fringe, the show has previously been a springboard to success for many household names including Jason Manford and Sarah Millican.

Inel Tomlinson

As one half of Johnny & Inel, the UK’s first black comedy double act, Inel showcases his diverse acting and writing talents as he embodies a plethora of colourful comic roles on their hit CBBC TV show The Johnny & Inel Show.

As a voiceover artist, Inel has recently brought to life the energetic Rex in CBeebies Footy Pups and has voiced Agent A Gent in the new CBBC Zig & Zag cartoon, released in April 2016. He’s also appeared on Videogame Nation and is a regular on the stand-up comedy circuit performing around the country.