Sony Award Nominee 2009 – Best Comedy (writer, The Now Show)

James Sherwood has become one of the country’s foremost comedy writers and continues to rapidy ascend the stand-up circuit. Having received the BBC Radio Entertainment writers’ bursary in 2008, James contributes the funnies to radio shows across the BBC, including The Now Show, The News Quiz and BBC7’s new topical comedy sketch show, Tilt. He is the chief writer on a new BBC Radio pilot, I Guess That’s Why They Call It The News.

As well as that, he regularly reviews the newspapers on Sky News, writes a regular blog on the Guardian website and spends most Sundays singing in a church choir, despite not actually being religious.

His debut Edinburgh show in 2006, ‘I Know What You Did Last Sunday’, was a total sell-out and was followed in similar fashion with 2007’s offering, ‘James Sherwood’s Somewhat Premature Review Of 2007’. His third show, ‘Songs Of Music’, was equally well-received and was recorded live for his forthcoming CD in December 2008. 2009’s offering well see James returning to his seat beyond the keyboard for an hour of satire and songs.

Having originally made a name for himself on the live circuit as a topical comic, in recent years James has incorporated a number of self-penned, original comic songs into his act. Although this involves lugging a keyboard around with him, it’s worth it – songs about grammatical inaccuracies and failed nightclub courtships have had audiences literally crying with laughter.

“His entire set, from humorous songs to witty repartee, is beautifully, painstakingly sculpted. There's no flab and no filler” The Scotsman

“Spoofing classic pop songs, James Sherwood seamlessly interweaves the political and satirical into the inspired ditties tapped out on his keyboard” **** Three Weeks

“with his sharp mind and old-school charm, Sherwood seems a natural heir to the respectable English tradition of smart, middle-class satire” The Guardian

“The highpoints of his show are when he performs his own songs with fully developed inventive lyrics. His combination of musical humour and patter between songs is a winning format” **** one4review

“brilliantly conceived and very funny … Sherwood has phenomenal stage presence” The Scotsman

“his piece grammatically correcting songs is worth the ticket price along … clever, funny and will have fans singing along” Chortle

“anyone who can make a song about inflation and unemployment funny is surely worthy of your attention” **** Three Weeks

“savage satire” Sunday Times
“fantastic” TimeOut

“piercing” Evening Standard

“sharp, precise and ingenious” Chortle