Des McLean
Encyclopedia
Des McLean is a Scottish stand-up comedian, TV and Radio presenter from Glasgow, cited by Billy Connolly
as his favourite comedian. He started comedy in 1999 and was a finalist in the BBC New Comedy Awards
, in that year he was also a finalist in the Channel 4 programme So You Think You’re Funny.
Des McLean’s Edinburgh Fringe
one-man show in 2005 earned a five star review and in that year he also took part in both the Glasgow and New York Comedy Festivals.
In 2006 McLean was sought by Radio Clyde to provide sketches for the Bowie at Breakfast programme on Clyde 1. He soon became the co-host on the breakfast show with George Bowie
, with the pair winning Sony Radio Academy Awards
in the Best Breakfast and Entertainment Categories. McLean recorded a series of wind-up telephone calls for the programme that became the most talked about feature on the radio station, fooling stars that included Sean Connery, Rod Stewart and Joan Rivers; CD releases of these calls became best-sellers across Scotland.
While still hosting daily radio shows McLean starred in pantomine as The Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz in 2008 and Jiminy Cricket in Pinocchio in 2009. The live DVDs of his auditorium stand-up comedy shows were best sellers and in 2010 he headlined the Glasgow Armadillo, with a one-man show, which was made into a television special for STV.
McLean left Radio Clyde
in 2010 and has worked since on television as an on-location presenter in Scotland for the One Show on BBC1. He has also hosted various STV programmes including Hogmanay and The Hour. Streetcast, McLean's series of comedy podcasts also have received rave reviews and his many You Tube sketches have between them have notched up over a million views.
In October 2011 Des completed a tour of New Zealand playing venues such as The Vector Arena and Hawkes Bay Opera House.
Billy Connolly
William "Billy" Connolly, Jr., CBE is a Scottish comedian, musician, presenter and actor. He is sometimes known, especially in his native Scotland, by the nickname The Big Yin...
as his favourite comedian. He started comedy in 1999 and was a finalist in the BBC New Comedy Awards
BBC New Comedy Awards
The BBC New Comedy Awards first appeared in 1995 and were considered to be one of the top UK comedy newcomer awards until they were axed in 2006. It was announced in the summer of 2006 that they were being replaced by a nationwide talent hunt that places its emphasis on sketch writing and filmed...
, in that year he was also a finalist in the Channel 4 programme So You Think You’re Funny.
Des McLean’s Edinburgh Fringe
Edinburgh Fringe
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the world’s largest arts festival. Established in 1947 as an alternative to the Edinburgh International Festival, it takes place annually in Scotland's capital, in the month of August...
one-man show in 2005 earned a five star review and in that year he also took part in both the Glasgow and New York Comedy Festivals.
In 2006 McLean was sought by Radio Clyde to provide sketches for the Bowie at Breakfast programme on Clyde 1. He soon became the co-host on the breakfast show with George Bowie
George Bowie
George Bowie is a Scottish radio personality and club DJ. He currently presents the breakfast show on Glasgow radio station Clyde 1.-Career:...
, with the pair winning Sony Radio Academy Awards
Sony Radio Academy Awards
The Sony Radio Academy Awards , started in 1983, are some of the most prestigious awards in the British radio industry. They are run by ZAFER Associates in association with the Radio Academy...
in the Best Breakfast and Entertainment Categories. McLean recorded a series of wind-up telephone calls for the programme that became the most talked about feature on the radio station, fooling stars that included Sean Connery, Rod Stewart and Joan Rivers; CD releases of these calls became best-sellers across Scotland.
While still hosting daily radio shows McLean starred in pantomine as The Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz in 2008 and Jiminy Cricket in Pinocchio in 2009. The live DVDs of his auditorium stand-up comedy shows were best sellers and in 2010 he headlined the Glasgow Armadillo, with a one-man show, which was made into a television special for STV.
McLean left Radio Clyde
Radio Clyde
Radio Clyde is a division of Bauer Radio based in Glasgow, Scotland. They currently operate an FM station and an AM station from studios in Clydebank West Dunbartonshire.- History :...
in 2010 and has worked since on television as an on-location presenter in Scotland for the One Show on BBC1. He has also hosted various STV programmes including Hogmanay and The Hour. Streetcast, McLean's series of comedy podcasts also have received rave reviews and his many You Tube sketches have between them have notched up over a million views.
In October 2011 Des completed a tour of New Zealand playing venues such as The Vector Arena and Hawkes Bay Opera House.