David Ian
David Ian is a stand-up comedian, writer, host, actor, and producer based in London and now touring worldwide.
In his relatively young comedy career, David has already exploded onto the scene – with three critically acclaimed solo shows and four original OUTtv comedy series including his own debut stand-up special.
He has earned multiple lauded runs and sold-out shows at the world-renowned Edinburgh Fringe Festival, including (Just a) Perfect Gay, named one of the festival’s top LGBTQ+ shows by Attitude Magazine and Broadway Baby. A semi-finalist in the Leicester Square Theatre New Comedian of the Year, David has been featured on BBC Radio, Times Radio, and Rich Wilson’s Insane in the Men Brain podcast, and profiled in The Guardian, Metro, The Herald, and British Comedy Guide.
An inspiring comedy industry leader and public speaker, he has also co-founded the UK’s first permanent LBGTQ+ comedy club and amassed over a million views on social media. Despite the mounting accolades, David is just getting started — with new tour dates across the US, a hit new podcast called This Is My Baby (co-hosted by Sarah Hester Ross), and more to come.
FOLLOW DAVID:
REPRESENTATION
PHOTOS
VIDEOS
Stand-up Clip (Dynasty Typewriter, Los Angeles)
Feature interview: This Is My Baby Podcast
Host & Creator: Gay v Straight (OUTtv)
Stand-up Clip (Edinburgh Stand)
Host & Creator: Queer Comedy Podcast
Host & Star: Building Betty & Joan’s (OUTtv)
Audience reviews for Married at Fringe Sight
Host & Creator: Mediocre Gay Podcast
Host & Star: Live at the Queer Comedy Club (OUTtv)
PRESS
PinkNews - UK’s first permanent LGBTQ+ comedy club to open in contrast to ‘straight and macho’ venues
The opening of Queer Comedy Club, in Archway, north London, follows a long-running queer comedy night, with the founders – comedians David Ian, Jeremy Topp and Kate Dale – wanting to establish a permanent venue to “signal to the queer community that stand-up is for them too.”
Attitude - London’s Queer Comedy Club review: A permanent LGBTQ space over tokenistic inclusions on hetero line-ups
David Ian, one of the club’s three co-founders, is hosting. He begins by welcoming the predominantly LGBTQ+ audience, before warning the handful of heterosexual allies present that there are many elements of the set they won’t understand: “Jokes about PrEP, Grindr, cottaging… and kindness.”
Broadway Baby - David Ian: I got death threats from my flatmates after losing my virginity
“This is one of the reasons why I think it’s so important to be visible as a queer person - I want kids to be able to look and see so much representation that they know they can be themselves. It’s a wonderful gift and one I think you can only really understand when you’ve not had good representation in the past.”
The Herald - Has cancellation killed comedy? 15 Edinburgh Fringe comics speak out
“Comedians are cultural observers, using humour to shed light on social issues; exposing the absurdities and contradictions within ideologies. Comedians question prevailing norms, challenge authority, and spark conversations that might otherwise be difficult. By pushing boundaries and presenting controversial topics, comedy opens up space for reflection. Comedy’s most remarkable quality is its ability to transcend barriers, bring people together. In the face of culture wars, where opposing sides view each other with disdain, comedy can be unifying. “
The Guardian - Reservation Dogs to Faraway Downs: the six best shows to stream this week
The Queer Comedy Club in London’s Archway has gradually become an institution in the capital’s LGBTQ+ scene. This series filmed at the venue showcases a host of its most established acts and offers exposure to some promising up-and-coming performers. Co-founders of the club David Ian, Kate Dale and Jeremy Topp feature prominently, of course.