Stand up for Stroke!

This December, Phil Burnett from our Bedminster Group is taking to the stage… for the start of what he hopes will be a future in stand-up comedy. And it’s all in a very good cause!

There can, at times, be fewer lonelier places in the world than a stage… not least when you are a stand-up comedian. It takes a world of confidence to brave an audience sat waiting to be amused and entertained.  

And when Phil Burnett takes on that challenge on Sunday 14th December 2025 at the Performing Arts Centre in Elton Road, Clifton he’ll not only be doing it for the very first time… but with the additional challenge of having had a stroke and still battling with the vestiges.

But he’s being spurred on by knowing that the sponsorship and donations he receives will be going to Bristol After Stroke.

So what’s the back story to his venture into comedy? 

“I had my stroke back in 2014 at the age of just 27,” he recalls. “I basically lost the use of my left side – that has mostly come back, although I still walk with a limp and get tired very easily. I’ve also had some ops to help with lowering my foot, because it ceased up.

“I was in the BRI following a car accident when it happened, which is probably as good place as any to have a stroke! I went on to have a heart attack as well, when they sent me on to Southmead.”

His recovery from that cocktail of setbacks took some time. “I was a learning support assistant at the time, and I did try to go back… but couldn’t support the students as I wanted to, so I knocked that on the head. I also tried being a call handler too, but that job ended. I'm now still looking for work.

“I did become very depressed. Joining several Bristol After Stroke groups such as the Bedminster and Young Persons Group has helped a lot. You know you’re not on your own.”

Taking on the stand-up challenge, though, seems quite a leap… why is he going down this route?

“I’ve always loved stand-up and there was a chance of eight weeks’ free coaching for beginners who wanted to raise money for charity. I thought that sounds good… so I took it.

“My comedy heroes are Jimmy Carr, Tommy Cooper, Sean Locke and James Ancaster. Sean Locke would just say stuff and get away with it. That’s the sort of humour I really like! Jimmy Carr is controversial as well. But I’m going to have to be a bit more restrained at the fundraising event: after all, I’m representing Bristol After Stroke!

“But making people laugh… I love that. I haven’t enjoyed great self-esteem following my stroke, so it can be great when you’re making people laugh - and you know they’re liking you and what you’re doing.”

Phil’s stint at the stand-up comedy day is just five minutes… quite long enough for someone just starting out in comedy. “We’ve been building up to that in our coaching, he says, “starting with just one minute…” before he sets off some gags he’s planning for the show that will definitely get the audience on his side.

His stand-up is part of a whole day of comedy, making this a great event to go to see if you like comedy… and perhaps want to see future stars of the comedy circuit setting off on their careers… perhaps including Phil Burnett!

The details again:

Venue: 1532, Bristol, BS8 1SJ
Date: Sunday 14th December 2025
Time: Doors open 3pm, show starts at 3.30pm (finishing at approximately 8.30pm)
Cost: Tickets are £25 each, when booking you will be asked who you
are coming to see, please put Phil Burnett.

Go to:

https://uk.ultratickets.co/event/ultra-comedy-bristol-14-12-2025/