Liverpool-born Paul Smith is a stand-up comedian who has garnered national and international fame due to the viral nature of his audience roasting videos. Smith’s shows have become increasingly popular, with his latest tour being his most extensive, covering a period of over a year and featuring proposals at some of the largest arenas and theaters in the country.
Smith’s early shows lacked an audience in the front row as patrons tried to avoid getting singled out by the comedian. However, the introduction of his videos to social media changed the course of his career almost overnight. People began to vie for the front seats with the hope of gaining their moment of social media fame, which often resulted in Smith mocking their job, personal appearance, or personal life.
As Smith’s videos gained popularity, so did the attention he received, which enabled him to expand his shows and gain a larger audience. His comedic stardom has also opened doors for collaborations with other comedians.
Smith’s comedic focus is on his audience, usually starting with a harmless “what’s your name?” and “what do you do?” This line of questioning rapidly elevates into character assassination, but according to Smith, he views himself as more cheeky than cruel.
A recent variation on Smith’s comedic career is his partnership with the Hot Water Comedy Club in Liverpool, which has become established as one of the highest-quality venues in the region, featuring some of the best comics in the country, including Smith himself. The club has recently moved into a new £7m location within Blackstock Market, one of Liverpool’s most exciting public areas.
Smith got his start in stand-up comedy on a life-changing four-week course in 2006, during which he gained the confidence to perform on stage, allowing him to craft his style and personality as a comedian. Despite some difficult moments throughout his career, Smith kept pushing forward. Today, after years of success, he remains a regular presence at the Hot Water Comedy Club in Liverpool
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