MATT FORDE
A sharp brain, a quick wit and an infectious laugh are the hallmarks of Matt Forde. Currently featuring as a regular weekly host on Jon Richardson Show on BBC 6 Music Matt started his comedy career at the age of 16 at his home town gig Just The Tonic in Nottingham in 1998. He showed early promise and performed occasionally in the midlands until reaching the later stages of many new act competitions including the So You Think You are Funny? semi finals in Edinburgh in 2002.
Matt's love of politics then interrupted his stage career and he spent the next few years working for MPs, The Labour Party.
This love of politics & comedy and a short stint commentating on Mansfield FM sports programmes led Matt into radio and a 5 min guest spot on BBC 6 Music's Russell Howard & Jon Richardson Show. Just weeks into a proposed 6 week regular 5 min feature and Matt was asked to take part in the show for an hour each week and then progressed to being in the studio as a regular feature of the show.
Now a weekly guest on the Jon Richardson Show every Sunday morning Matt's ability as both a radio presenter and comedy performer have been noticed with recent appearances alongside Richard Bacon on BBC5live's 'Richard Bacon Show' and also on BBC Ulster and BBC Nottingham.
In addition to this, 2 runs at Edinburgh Festival in 2007 & 2008 hosting the daily topical panel show 'Matt Forde's On Heat' with Jon Richardson & Mark Olver gained plaudits and became a comic's favourite during both runs with Johnny Vegas' only appearance of the 2007 festival being on Matt's show.
Radio:
Jon Richardson Show (BBC 6Music)
Russell Howard & Jon Richardson show (BBC 6Music)
Richard Bacon Show (BBC 5Live)
Guest contributor (BBC Ulster)
Various (BBC Nottingham)
Stand Up:
So You Think Your Funny? Semi Finalist 2002
Daily Telegraph New Act Semi Finalist 2002
Wilkinson Sword Cutting Edge Semi Finalist 2002
BBC New Comedy Award Semi Finalist 2001