This weekend was comedy weekend. And it was brilliant. I’ve been looking forward to it for ages. Friday was John Bishop, followed by Dave Gorman last night. It’s been nine or ten months since I first saw John Bishop on Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow and I immediately decided I had to see him on tour. Then back in January I phoned the Theatre Royal in the off chance there might be some Dave Gorman seats left. Fate must have been smiling on me that day as I got returned seats right in the centre of of the third row. Two comedians, one weekend.

Before our pre-gig dinner I popped into the Gala to pick up tickets and who should be stood at the box office, non other than the man himself. John Bishop. We had a brief chat. Mainly me telling him I’d heard good things. Him suggesting I see a movie instead. Me telling him I’m from Southport. Him commenting at least there will be two people in the audience that understand him (he’s a Scouser).

The show was brilliant. My cheeks hurt before he walked on stage (it makes sense once you’ve seen the show). He is the most natural comedian. His ad-libbing was even funnier than the routine, and the routine was bloody good. I was in stitches. It seemed you didn’t just have to be from Merseyside (or the edge of Cheshire where he grew up) to find him hilarious. His funny translates. It is rare to find someone who seems to have comedy running through his veins. He puts the likes of Michael McIntyre and Ed Byrne in the shade. If you only see one stand-up comedian this year make it John Bishop.

I can’t lie to you. After seeing John Bishop I was worried. I’ve wanted to see Dave Gorman live for years. My expectations were high. Back in 2001 I became addicted to ‘Are you Dave Gorman?’ on BBC2. I’ve read ‘Are you Dave Gorman?’ and ‘Googlewhack’ many many times, mainly when I’m having a moment I feel insane and I know Dave’s words will make me feel like I’m more well adjusted than at least one other human being. He has become one of my comedy heroes. In my early days of blogging Dave Gorman inspired one of my first blogs (reading it might explain why I like Dave so much, but excuse the writing, it was in my raw unpolished days of blogging!). I’d had an amazing time at John Bishop just 48 hours earlier.  Here I was seeing one of my comedy heroes live for the first time and I was worried that he wouldn’t be as good as the bloke I’d bought tickets for on a whim after 5 minutes on TV.

I can’t believe I doubted Dave Gorman. I should not have worried. In the past nine years not once has he disappointed me. Scared me at times. Disturbed me. (Just watch Googlewhack!) But never disappointed. There is room for more than one brilliant comedian in this world. There is even enough room for two of them to be in the North East in one weekend.

Dave was brilliant. I will never doubt him again. I don’t want to ruin it so I won’t say too much. But there are things that may happen in my life where I find myself bursting into spontaneous fits of laughter as a result of Sunday night. Having worked for Royal Mail there were parts of the show that really tickled me even more than they would normally. Dave’s style is different to John Bishop’s. Even in stand up he’s a story teller and he uses anticipation so well. If you don’t get to see it live then buy, borrow, but preferably don’t steal, the DVD (which I presume will follow shortly!)

And I got to meet him after the show, a less informal affair than bumping into John. Such is Dave’s fame that it involved buying something for him to sign. And some queuing. But he was kind enough to smile in a way that looks like he was pleased to meet me – or perhaps that is a look of get this crazy fan away from me – I will let you decide!