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The 29-year-old has the last laugh on those who say only blue will do when it comes to raising a chuckle. Andy is a professional comic who swears his favourite “f” word is funny – and the audiences agree. Already a favourite on the BBC and the Edinburgh Festival, Andy – a devout Christian – is laughing all the way to the top of his profession. He is one of a new breed of comics who champion what is known as Clean Comedy described by critics as the “real edgy” stand up. “If I hear a comic repeatedly using expletives just to try and shock an audience, I feel there’s no need,” says Andy. “Sadly, that kind of comedy is increasing and I suppose you could say comedy reflects society. But I prefer to do it my way and I feel there is a growing niche for what I do. “There are many top guys like Tim Vine and Milton Jones who, like myself, prefer clean comedy. You can still give an audience a great night out without a barrage of swear words.” Andy moved from his native Stoke to Manchester when he married his wife Becca. He is now a regular at top venues as well as churches and festivals up and down the country. But there was a time when Andy was more likely to cry than laugh into the bottom of a beer glass. While at university, he abandoned the Christian faith he knew as a young man – and lived life as a full-time hedonist. “Let’s get something straight. Sin is fun. Sin is enjoyable, otherwise you wouldn’t get so many people taking part!” “I was drinking alot. I mean a lot. I loved the Pound a Pint Nights and parties and when I got drunk, I got very argumentative. Then I began to put on weight and just didn’t have any sense of identity about myself or what life was all about.” Brought up by warm, loving Christian parents, Andy says he was glad they never forced him to believe – but were always supportive of him. “Even in my darkest moments, I never really doubted God existed, I just didn’t know how to reach him and frankly I really didn’t care,” adds Andy. “My life was going nowhere. One night, I opened my heart and said God, I believe you are there, so I’m submitting myself to you. Please help. “I can’t really describe how, but I just felt different. I had a peace and a sense of joy that I didn’t know before.” After leaving Uni, Andy drifted into a series of dead-end jobs. Deep down, he had a desire to be a comic, something that stirred in him when he was only nine years old. He had been off school ill, and tuned into his favourite TV shows including Fawlty Towers and Blackadder. Now in his early 20s, he wondered if he could turn a talent for being funny into a career. One big difference in his life since accepting Jesus was that he regularly prayed over decisions in his life. To his amazement, he started to see doors opening. “I basically told the Lord that I wanted to use my talent for him and I left it to him to show me the direction in which to go,” he adds. “Out of the blue, I got the chance to appear at a major comedy club in Bath. It was a big comedy club and everyone else on the bill was a big name. I was the only unknown. The night went really, really well. I just knew that this was what I should do. I told God, ‘Right, we’re in this together.’” Over the past five years, Andy has built an act which involves using stories from his past to point out the funnier side of human nature. “I love appearing at big theatres and love TV but the bottom line is I don’t care if I’m famous or not,” he insists. “When I appear in a church, I can see hurting people, people who need Jesus and laughter in their lives. I try to use comedy to heal and to bless. Comedy breaks down barriers and stereotypes. “If I can help hurting people see God’s unconditional love for them through comedy, then that is my goal. I want to be where God needs me, whether that’s a draughty church hall or a prime time TV slot. I’m in this for Jesus.” If you’d like to book or contact Andy, you can do so at: www.andykind.co.uk By James Hastings |
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