Britain's Greatest Hoaxer and Lee Nelson star Simon Brodkin to star at Southport Comedy Festival

THE Southport Comedy Festival in association with Halliwell Jones BMW have announced yet another big name for this year's 17 day event at Victoria Park in Southport. World famous prankster and Lee Nelson creator Simon Brodkin brings his outrageous new stand up show:- 'Screwed Up' to the festival, on:- Sunday, 8 October 2023. Acclaimed character comedian Simon is now performing as himself.

Fresh from his sold out, critically acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe run and becoming the most viewed British comedian of all time on TikTok, this show is already selling out nationwide with extra dates added at some venues. In 'Screwed Up' Simon rips into:- celebrity culture, social media, the Police, Putin, Prince Andrew and Jesus. Nothing is off limits in this hilarious show, including his own mental health, his family, his 5 arrests and how he once found himself at an underground sex party.

Tickets are now on sale from the Southport Comedy Festival website.

Grab your tickets early for 1 of the most in demand shows of the year. Simon is the 3rd name to be announced for this year's 17 Southport Comedy Festival which will be held once again in a luxury heated and seated marquee Courtesy of Elite marquees, at Victoria Park, Southport. Irish funnymen and festival favourites Jason Byrne and Jimeoin are already on sale with more exciting names to be announced in the next few weeks. Keep an eye on the festival website or join the mailing list to find out 1st who will be making Southport Smile this October.

About Simon Brodkin...

Star of Britain's Greatest Hoaxer (Channel 4) Simon hit global headlines multiple times for his high profile stunts, including:- handing Theresa May a P45 during her speech at the Conservative Party Conference, showering disgraced FIFA president Sepp Blatter with bank notes, and surrounding Donald Trump at the opening of his golf courses with 60 swastika emblazoned golf balls.

He also is known for attaching a 25 foot sign to the side of Sir Philip Green's superyacht, and going on Britain's Got Talent, as the ultra orthodox Jewish rapper Steven Goldblatt; fooling Simon Cowell and the other judges to win 4 'yeses.'

Britain's Greatest Hoaxer was nominated for best Documentary, at the Monte Carlo TV Festival Golden Nymph awards 2018.

In a previous stunt, Simon also managed to join Kanye West as the American performed his headline Glastonbury set on the Pyramid Stage. He rapped alongside West in front of 200,000 people into a toy microphone he'd bought from Argos.

In character as Premier League footballer Jason Bent, Simon has warmed up with the Manchester City team before a fixture against Everton and joined the England squad as they were boarding the plane to the World Cup in Brazil.

Simon's most famous character is comedy legend Lee Nelson, writing and starring in 2 series of BBC Three's ratings smash Lee Nelson's Well Good Show and the sketch series Lee Nelson's Well Funny People, which introduced the nation to a plethora of brilliant characters.

Simon's latest show Screwed Up was performed to sold out audiences at the Edinburgh Fringe last summer and Dominic Maxwell (The Times) said:- "No show has made (him) laugh more than this 1…"

10 years of reservists at RAF Woodvale

RAF Reservists from Formby's 611 Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force this month celebrated their 10 year Anniversary since its reformation in 2013. Based at RAF Woodvale, 611 Squadron 1st formed in Liverpool in 1936 and went on to distinguish itself as a Spitfire Squadron during World War 2. After disbanding as a Meteor Squadron in 1957, it reformed as the home for trained reservists to support RAF operations at home and abroad.

Wing Commander Stephen Chaskin OBE, the Officer Commanding 611 Squadron, said:- "I'm delighted the Squadron is celebrating this milestone. As a local boy I flew at RAF Woodvale myself back in the 1970s and was honoured to be asked to take command of the Squadron back in 2016. We've a rich history here and are proud to be the only Royal Auxiliary Air Force Squadron in the North West. There are currently 100 part time volunteer reservists based here who are trained in 10 different branches and trades ranging from:- Chefs, Engineering, Human Resources, Transport and Air Operations, to name a few. Personnel have played a crucial role in supporting wider RAF operations at UK RAF bases, as well as supporting operations in:- Estonia, Cyprus and the Falkland Islands and deploying to support exercises in:- the USA, Spain, Norway, Germany and the Netherlands during the last 10 years."

The Squadron celebrated its Anniversary on the weekend of:- 11 March and 12 March 2023 where all trades came together to train, look back on the Squadron's history, relive some memories from recent years, present some awards and meet faces old and new at the evening BBQ.

Over the years Squadron personnel have taken part in numerous events and activities in and around the local area ranging from Remembrance Day services, Air Shows, Armed Forces Week celebrations, being hosted by the Lord Mayor of Liverpool at a reception in Liverpool Town Hall in 2014, hosting the then-Prime Minister Theresa May at Armed Forces Day Liverpool in 2017, as well as volunteering for local charities and community projects.

2 Part Time Volunteer Reservists who have been with the Squadron throughout the past 10 years, Sergeant John Shields and Air Specialist 1st Class Dan Morley were thanked for their immense contribution and resilience over the years and received an award to mark their long service.

In addition, Sergeant Scott Langham and Flight Sergeant Robbie McCabe were recognised by a:- 'people's choice' award voted for by their peers. Their unyielding positive attitude, morale, mentoring and support to the Squadron were overwhelmingly appreciated across the ranks.

With new recruits joining the Squadron and plenty of taskings lined up for 2023, 611 Squadron will be making a difference to UK and International operations using their specialist skills. In addition, the Squadron is looking forward to supporting the City of Liverpool's Battle of the Atlantic 80th Anniversary, in May 2023, as well as celebrating His Majesty the King's Coronation, also in May 2023.

RAF Woodvale is also home to the University Air Squadrons for the North West consisting of Liverpool University Air Squadron and Manchester and Salford Universities Air Squadron.

611 Squadron currently has vacancies for general electrical and mechanical technicians. More about 611 Squadron information can be found on:- RAF.MOD.UK, and details about joining as an RAF reservist can also be found at:- Recruitment.RAF.MOD.UK.

Did you know that RAF Woodvale was the last operational flight by an RAF Spitfire was flown from Woodvale, in 1957? Its mission was related to the work of a meteorological unit stationed at the base.