Meet the Glasgow man hailed one of 'Scotland’s most exciting new comedians'

But James Gardner will take three shows to the festival next month following a sold-out run last year.  

Hailed as one of Scotland’s most exciting new comedians, James, who has been doing comedy since 2019, has gone viral on TikTok and Instagram with sketches about a variety of topics from turning 40 to Marks & Spencer. 

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His first show of the festival is the "beautiful and eye-opening" Born in a Wheelchair which will take place on Wednesday, March 27 following a successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival last year.  

The heart-warming but "wickedly funny" show charts James’ life with his older brother Alexander who has quadriplegic cerebral palsy and is non-verbal.  

"It challenges perceptions on disability," James explains.

"It punches at my own ignorance towards disability despite the fact I’ve been a carer for Alexander his whole life. 

"It’s an amazing show and it’s going to be at a fully accessible venue at Strathclyde Students Union, I’m really pleased to bring the show there, so anyone who’s been a carer, been around anyone with a disability, and even anyone who hasn’t, will really enjoy the show. 

"I had such great feedback during the Fringe so I’m really pleased to bring that as the first show at the comedy festival," he added.

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He continued: "So much of the show is about the Glaswegian attitude to overcoming these obstacles and how you deal with challenges that society presents to disabled people. 

"A lot of the stories I tell is about growing up in Summertson and pushing my brother’s wheelchair about there and taking him to gigs, getting him on planes and I think the Glaswegian crowd will love it more than anything I’ve done because it’s got real heart and soul."

The following night, James’ biggest show to date Square Glasgow, which sold out three months in advance, will take place at the Oran Mor and will surely hit home with local audiences.  

"It’s about the psychological Glaswegians, what it means to be from Glasgow, the quirks and the downfalls of a Glaswegian personality," James says.  

"There will be a few multimedia contributions which I haven’t done before, a couple of wee sketches, so I’m excited for it. I think people will love that show."

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The former shopping channel presenter and DJ added: "I’m really proud of selling it out and really grateful. 

"It’s Good Friday the following day so everybody can stay and get a drink and not worry about phoning in sick to work the next day."

On Saturday, March 30, James will complete his run with the one-off show James Gardner & Friends at Nice N’ Sleazy where he will be hosting a specially curated hour of comedy featuring some of his favourite acts on the circuit.  

James hails the GICF as having "real diversity" in the comedians that perform and says the festival is particularly inclusive of working-class Glaswegian performers who are often overlooked.  

And of course, one of the best parts is performing in front of a Glasgow audience. 

"I think a Glasgow audience wants you to go close to the bone," he says. 

"You don’t need to sugarcoat anything to them or apologise for anything.  

"There’s an electrifying element to a Glasgow crowd and if you hit the right note then I think it doesn’t matter who you are, they will just absolutely love it."

James Gardner: Born in a Wheelchair will be at The Venue, Strathclyde Student Union on Wednesday, March 27, James Gardner: Square Glasgow will take place at the Oran Mor on Thursday, March 28 and James Gardner & Friends will be a Nice N’ Sleazy on Saturday, March 30.