Scot Squad star in bid to make comedy scene a 'better environment'

The comedian started a series of shows titled Darren Connell & The Funny Bunch because of his early experiences in comedy when he was 18 and says he’s trying to create a “better environment”. 

He books and hosts the monthly shows, which are returning to Blackfriars on Bell Street this Saturday afternoon after a short break, and promises "one of the best line-ups of stand-up comedy in Scotland". 

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Darren, who grew up in Springburn, said: "They’ve turned into really successful nights.  

"When I started as a comedian when I was 18, that was not a nice environment, and I’m just trying to make it a better environment for everybody, including myself."

He continued: "When I started and for many years, I would say it was a very cutthroat industry.  

"Back in the day it was just weird at times and quite lonely so now when I’m running a gig I always think ‘how good would this be if I was a new comedian’."

Darren Connell as Bobby in Scot Squad (Image: Scot Squad)

The shows feature a range of both established and up and coming comedians, with this weekend featuring Gary Faulds, Lauren Steven, Ryan Cullen and Jack Traynor and Darren credits Blackfriars current owners “love” of comedy in helping them become such a success.  

He explained: “They’ve given all these local comedians, including myself, the chance to run shows and they’re very fair.  

“They don’t charge much for the room and that means we can get better comedians in and it's turned into this very supportive and very kind environment.  

“Stand-up comedy, like green rooms and stuff, can be quite toxic.  

“If you’re a younger comedian it can be quite scary and being a female comedian is really really tough as well but Blackfriars has just been a total breath of fresh air and everybody seems to be loving it.” 

(Image: Martin Shields)

He added: “I think comedy is more important now than ever because times are very tough, like is very stressful.” 

Darren, who also hosts podcast Straight White Whale, first started comedy as a hobby when he was 18 after someone in college told him she should try it.  

He went into acting and starred as Bobby Muir in BBC comedy Scot Squad but always carried on with stand-up, though he was forced to take a break during Covid.  

He decided to put acting on the backburner while he refocuses on comedy but says he would “absolutely act again” in the future as he feels he was “unfinished business” in the industry.  

He said: “I started it [comedy] off as a hobby and I’m not going to lie, at the start I was pretty bad. 

“But after years of just doing it, I finally found my voice.” 

“I’m the absolute opposite of the character I play on Scot Squad so that’s a bit of a shock when people come to see me.  

“It’s [my comedy] is quite dark and surreal, but I wouldn’t say offensive because I always make myself the joke.” 

He continued: “I wouldn’t say I stopped acting but I’ve definitely put stand-up comedy back to the front of the queue because acting is such a strange world. It’s stressful.  

“At least with stand-up comedy I’m in control and I can write my own material.  

“With acting, I just felt like a constant failure because I was constantly chasing work.  

“So, I’ve just decided to create my own work while giving other people work.” 

Darren Connell & The Funny Bunch will be at Blackfriars of Bell Street on Saturday, June 15 at 3pm.