Kevin Bridges gives big break to Glasgow comedian Susie McCabe as Hydro warm-up act

Susie McCabe was sworn to secrecy after being invited by Kevin Bridges to open his sell-out shows at the OVO Hydro and admits she was too scared to tell her parents in case they blabbed.

She told the couple she had pulled some strings to get them front row seats to watch the Clydebank funnyman perform, but the joke was on Elena, 74, and Allan, 72, when their daughter strolled out on stage in front of the 10,000-strong crowd.

Susie McCabe (Image: Newsquest)

Susie said: “When Kevin asked me to be the warm-up act for his Hydro run, I knew I had to keep it under wraps.

"If I let my mum and dad know then everyone in Glasgow would have been in on the secret. My mum would have told the postie, dentist, newsagent and anyone else she could think of around where she lives.

“My folks love Kevin, so as a surprise they were given front row seats at the opening night. I told them I was away gigging in Sheffield for a few days, and they had absolutely no idea I was the opening act. They nearly fell off their seats when I walked onto the stage.

“They couldn’t believe I was performing an arena show, the biggest gig of my life, and never told them. After my stint on stage, I joined my parents in the audience and they gave me a right ticking off for keeping them in the dark.

"My mum was proud as punch but that didn't save me from a right Glasgow rollicking from her.

“She hasn’t stopped talking about the show since and I’m sure she was straight on the phone to her friends afterwards.”

Elena and Allan McCabe (Image: Newsquest)

Susie, from Garrowhill in Glasgow, has been hailed as one of the rising stars on the UK comedy scene.

She got to know Kevin after a stint at The Stand and thought he was joking when he asked her to be his support act for his An Overdue Catch-Up run, which has saw him perform to over a quarter of a million people over the past four weeks.

Susie McCabe (Image: Newsquest)

She said: “It was one of those pinch me moments and I obviously jumped at the opportunity.

"Kevin was very supportive and gave me fantastic advice. He’d come along to the side of the stage and say, 'go for it pal, play to the room. Smash it and most importantly enjoy yourself'.

"His advice was spot on and helped me massively. I’ve got to know him quite well over the years and he always gives me great pointers on and off stage.

“Playing to an arena of that size is terrifying at first, but as the nights went on the nerves melted away. Any comedian will tell you that Glaswegians are the best audience in the world and I was able to have a lot of banter and right good laugh with them.

"It really was a dream come true.

Susie McCabe (Image: Newsquest)

"Kevin was basically resident at the Hydro for a month and being asked to be part of it was just mind-blowing and a such an honour.

“It really is one of the best places I’ve played and I’m grateful to him for giving me the opportunity. It was a privilege to share a stage with one of the best social observerationists I’ve ever known.

"Kevin’s ability to watch people and turn what they do into a comedy routine is genius.

"Thanks to him I’ve learned lots and he’s always remained a down-to-earth and genuine guy.

"He's one of the nicest in the business, despite all of his success."

Popular comic Jason Manford also popped along to watch Susie live at the Hydro and she’s now set to support fellow Scot Frankie Boyle at The Glee Club in Glasgow next week.

Susie McCabe on stage (Image: Newsquest)

She added: “Lots of exciting things are happening over the coming weeks and months.

"My confidence as a comic is growing and I’m loving being able to interact with the audience and ad lib as I go through a routine.

“If you would have asked me years ago when I was starting out if I ever thought I’d be on stage at the Hydro opening for Kevin Bridges I would have laughed my head off.

“It just goes to show that anything can happen and I feel very blessed to have all these wonderful opportunities coming my way.”