The SPARKies recognises and celebrates the best of the Bristol, Bath and west of England tech scene. It only seemed right, then, that they should find a homegrown talent to host the ceremony later this month (the 30th to be exact).
Step forward Mr Tom Craine. Born and raised in Bath, Tom is a stand-up star on the rise. Currently writing the script for new BBC Three sitcom ‘Josh‘, the “disgustingly talented” funny man is one third of lauded comedy trio Jigsaw with Dan Antopolski and Nat Luurtsema.
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The group regularly appear on Radio 4 and Russell Kane’s Live at the Electric, performing sketches which combine the provocative and the absurd to addictive effect.
A run of shows at the Edinburgh Fringe saw the trio named Critics’ Choice by The Times, The Big Issue and The New Statesman.
“Things could have been different: the Batheaston native was once head choirboy at Bath Abbey”
Tom is also a stand-up in his own right, making his first foray into comedy as a psychology student in Cardiff. Things could have been different: the Batheaston native was once head choirboy at Bath Abbey, making his television debut on Songs of Praise – an episode he regularly draws upon in his live shows.
Since then Tom has performed on Russell Howard’s Good News and carved a career on radio, appearing on BBC 6 Music, Absolute and Radio 2 and hosting The Tom Craine Show on BBC Radio Bristol.
Working the crowd: Tom Craine will be bringing mirth and merriment to the SPARKies.
He also writes for Mock the Week, QI, 8 Out of 10 Cats, The Michael McIntyre Chat Show and The Sharp End. Tom even has his own monthly Cosmopolitan column, Sex and the Single Guy. Not bad for someone who describes his life as “moment of idiocy followed by moment of idiocy, broken up by meals”.
“I’m really looking forward to hosting The SPARKies. It’s great to celebrate talented people and, as a West Country boy, this event is all the more special”, Tom says.
We’re looking forward to seeing his trademark honesty and disarming charm in action at Komedia on 30 October. Until then, you can catch Tom on Twitter @TomCraine.
