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Aaron Simmonds

Aaron Simmonds has been failing to stand up for 32 years; luckily he is far better at comedy than standing up. He has a unique perspective on life, usually of people’s belly buttons, which gives him stories to tell, and a sore neck.

He’s been described as “a comedian going places”

Places that are wheelchair accessible

Aaron’s comedy demonstrates expert storytelling, whilst packing jokes and opportunities for mirth into every moment. A comedic style is story-based, with clever one-liners interspersed throughout. He offers sharply-observed comedy which is grounded in his disability, but is by no means limited by it.  Amiable, likeable and with a commanding presence on stage, Aaron is an exciting talent and is destined for great things.

His credits include BBC At The Edinburgh Festivals (BBC Two), The Edinburgh Show (BBC Scotland), BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra’s Unexpected Fluids podcast and Laura Whitmore’s Sunday Session (BBC Radio 5 Live). He’s also been seen and heard on BBC Three and BBC Radio 4 Extra, and has appeared in a BBC Quickie with Brennan Reece and Rosie Jones. Aaron performed his critically-acclaimed debut show, Disabled Coconut, at the Edinburgh Fringe which was also filmed by NextUp.

Aaron also has cerebral palsy and is a professionally-trained personal trainer, as well as a former international basketball player and world champion powerlifter.

It detailed a complicated relationship alongside the absurdity of “competitive disability”. Some people have got the idea, he explains, that because of his upper body strength and background in sport, he is “not disabled enough”.

“a superb storyteller.. a confident, sparky, smiley presence onstage, it is easy to see why he is an award winner.. This show has the most beautifully constructed and the most unexpectable narrative line of pretty much any I have seen. There are twists and turns and in every single one there is a laugh.. a perfect lesson in how to deal with the terminally patronising, this hour belts along on wheels of laughter.”
– ★★★★The Scotsman

While disability did feature prominently in his first appearance at the Fringe, he feels that he still covered enough “of other topics, like love, sex and politics” that he can avoid the criticism of being a single-issue act.

“Amiable, likeable, and a commanding presence on stage, Aaron Simmonds is an exciting talent” ★★★★ Broadway Baby

“weaves an overarching story into multiple anecdotes, calling back to them masterfully throughout the hour” ★★★★ The Wee Review

“a talented comedian who has the audience in the palm of his hand” ★★★★ Broadway World

“an assured debut from a lover and a fighter” ★★★★ Metro

“a man with plenty attitude and a keen sense of the right humorous stuff” The List

Television & film:

  • Rob Beckett’s Undeniable – Comedy Central – 2021
  • The Russell Howard Hour – Sky – 2021
  • Guessable – Comedy Central – 2021
  • ‘Disabled Coconut’ – NextUp Comedy – 2020
  • The Stand Up Sketch Show – ITV2, 2020
  • BBC At The Edinburgh Festivals – BBC Two, 2019
  • The Edinburgh Show – BBC Scotland, 2019

Radio:

  • BBC Radio 1, 2019
  • BBC Radio 1Xtra – Unexpected Fluids Podcast, 2019
  • BBC Radio 4 Extra, 2019
  • BBC Radio 5 Live – Laura Whitmore’s Sunday Session, 2019
  • Online: BBC Quickie with Brennan Reece and Rosie Jones
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