Jeff Innocent

East Ender Jeff Innocent‘s unique appeal lies in the contrast between his East End ‘Geezer’ appearance and demeanour, and his educated, philosophical delivery and subject matter. Inspiring The Guardian to describe him as a comedian with, ‘The body of a nightclub bouncer and the brains of a university boffin’.

Born in East London during the mid 1950’s, Jeff Innocent grew up in a family whose entrepreneurial spirit and activities were not always considered acceptable by the police. He managed to avoid going in to the family business however by taking a keen interest in youth theatre and Jamaican music. He took part in many productions as a teenager, primarily with the East End Soapbox Theatre, a collective which also spawned performance poet John Hegley. But it took over twenty years before he was to tread the boards again as a comedian.

After leaving school his first job was as a windowdresser in the mens fashion trade working in London’s trendy Kings Road and Carnaby Street during the early 1970’s until the early 1980’s when he became a mature student at the University of East London studying philosophy and history, achieving a BA Hons and an MA. He maintained his interest in Jamaican music by DJ’ing and contributing to fanzines during this period. His post graduate dissertation topic being, The History of Jamaican Music. He financed his studying by working in the fashion industry at Camden Market and High Street Kensington.

It was after his experience at University that he decided to try stand up comedy, something that he had wanted to do for some years. His initiation was at a workshop in Stratford East London run by the God Father of Alternative Comedy, Tony Allen. Although being a stand up comedian and actor dominates much of Jeff’s time he still maintains an interest in music and popular culture. He still lives in the East End with his partner of 23 years, the youngest of his four children and his two whippets. But not necessarily in that order.

“In short, he’s one funny man .” Chortle “Extremely talented cockney philosopher” Time Out

“Terrific, thought-through comedy with a big warm heart” The Scotsman

“Clever, honest, funny. Not only hugely likable comedy but fabulously subversive” The Scotsman

“It should be made law that every British citizen go and see Jeff Innocent” Evening Standard

After a daring escape he worked his passage back to England on a tea clipper. From then until becoming a stand up comedian and actor of note Jeff has worked variously as a chimney sweep, a fruit and veg stallholder, a fishmonger at Billingsgate Market, a footballer playing inside right for West Ham Utd and a driver for the Kray Twins.

Quotes:

“It should be made law that every British citizen must go and see Jeff Innocent. He’s that funny.” – Hot Tickets

“Jeff presents an act that’s part history lesson part sociology lecture but all funny. ” – The Independent

“Jeff Innocent is like Alan Bennett writing an episode of ‘Minder’.” – The Standard

“Jeff Innocent is ‘The Guv’nor’.”- The Mirror
MOVIES

It Was An Accident

Mean Machine

TELEVISION

The Comedy Store Presents (Five)

Edinburgh Comedy (STV)

Edinburgh Nights (BBC1)

Gas (Channel 4)

I Love 1999 (BBC1)

Later With Jools Holland (BBC2)

The National Lottery Show (BBC1)

Red Nose Day (BBC1)

Stand Up Holland (Dutch TV)

Stand Up Show (RTE Ireland)

The Stand Up Show (twice for BBC1)

Take the Mike (ITV)

Time Gentlemen Please (Sky)

Real Eastenders (Channel 4)

Stand Up For The World (CHannel 4)

Brief Histories (BBC3)

RADIO

The New Vaudeville (Play for BBC Radio 3)

Stand Up ll (BBC Radio2)

The Treatment (BBC Radio 5 Live)

The Phill Jupitus Show (GLR)

Roland Rivron Show (Radio London)

Sandi Toksvig Show (LBC)

PRICE BAND: Bronze £500 to £2,500

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