Paul Tonkinson

“Hilarious, nobody makes me laugh like Paul Tonkinson…go see him! “ - Michael McIntyre

A sensational live performer, Yorkshire man, marathon runner and former (double award-winning) Time Out Comedian of the Year, Paul Tonkinson has long upheld his esteemed reputation as one of the finest stand-ups the UK has to offer. With a unique and distinctive style, Tonkinson is noted for his effervescent physicality and skilful impressions, which bring alive exuberant, tender comic reflections on love, family and the day-to-day idiosyncrasies of 21st century life. A plethora of first class material, combined with tremendous charm and irrepressible, infectious energy make for a formidable talent.

Tonkinson burst into the nations consciousness as a presenter hosting seminal live tele - The Sunday Show on BBC2,  Ch. 4’s The Big Breakfast, he also fronted radio shows on XFM in London and Manchester. 

His first love however has always been stand-up with numerous TV appearances - BBC One’s Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow and Comedy Central’s The Comedy Store and The World Stands-up. He has played at comedy festivals around the world including the prestigious Montreal Just For Laughs festival, hosting the esteemed Brit-com Gala. As well as his own UK tour Tonkinson has also worked extensively with Michael McIntyre, supporting him on arena tours across the UK and worldwide, most recently, in 2023, on trips to Norway, New Zealand and Australia. 

Paul is a keen runner, he produces a weekly podcast Running Commentary with Rob Deering ( over 2 million downloads ) wrote a long running column for Runners World and his book 26.2 Miles to Happiness won a Daily Telegraph Sports Entertainment Book of the Year award in 2022. He is currently working on the follow up.

“ Watching Tonkinson storm is one of the best sights in comedy. It’s like watching somebody fly “

Seann Walsh 2023