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JULY 2019
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Flight Time
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39
Interview
LOST
FOR
What was childhood like for a little boy with
cerebral palsy?
It wasn’t much different to any other
kid, really. I developed cerebral palsy
when I was six months old, so I’ve
always lived with it. I didn’t know any
different. It was normal to me from very
early on in my life, so I just sort of got
on with it.
What was your childhood dream?
I’ve always enjoyed writing, ever since I
was at school, so I think my dream was
to be a writer of some sort. I was lucky
enough to have a great English teacher
at school who always pushed me to do
my best. I have a lot to thank him for. I
ended up working as a journalist, which
I loved. But then I discovered that I
could make people laugh, as well. I think
my background in writing has helped
me a lot in my comedy career.
Were you always ambitious, keen to
achieve?
I guess I just never saw my disability
as something that could hold me back.
Don’t get me wrong, I knew that
getting a job in journalism and then
comedy would be harder because of my
disability. I didn’t see that as a reason
not to try, though. I guess I just had
my heart set on it. I was lucky to have
very supportive family and friends,
too. I wouldn’t be here today if it
wasn’t for them. They never stopped
me from doing what I wanted, and
were always the first to help out. Like
I said, I never saw my disability as a
barrier to doing anything. I was always
going to be a journalist, I was always
going to go to university, and I was
always going to be independent. My
disability is a big part of me, but I’ve
never let it rule my life.
When did you discover you could make
people laugh?
I always seemed to be the funny one at
school and I just remember the feeling
I got when I made other people laugh.
It was such a great feeling, so I did it as
much as possible. And I haven’t stopped
doing it since. It’s still amazing to think
that I now make a living out of doing
something that I love!
What jobs did you do before you decided to
become a stand-up comedian?
Before I was a comic, I worked as a
journalist for the BBC in London and
Newcastle, as well as various local papers
in the North East. I was also part of the
media team at Sunderland City Council.
Deciding to become a comedian must have
been a big decision, given it’s probably one
of the most difficult jobs for someone with
no voice…
Yes, it definitely was! I’ve always been
a big fan of comedy and I love going to
watch stand-up comedy myself. I’d always
said that if I could talk that would probably
be my dream job. I never expected to do it,
though. I just didn’t think it was possible.
Then, some friends said that it might
work, and that I should try it. I thought
they were crazy at first, but the idea stuck
in the back of my mind. Eventually, I
decided to give it a try, because I knew I’d
regret it if I didn’t. It seems like I was right.
Even after agreeing to do it, I was worried
that it wouldn’t work. I was scared that
people wouldn’t be able to understand me
and I’d just be standing there telling jokes
to myself.
erebral palsy may
have robbed Lee Ridley of his voice,
but it certainly hasn’t stopped him from
living his dream. Thanks to his talent
for comedy, and his iPad, he has built a
stand-up career that saw him crowned
winner of
Britain’s Got Talent
last year.
Busier than ever, he took time out
from his schedule to tell
Flight Time
how his life has changed.
C
LEE R IDLEY AKA LOST
VOICE GUY REVEALS
HOW HIS DISABILIT Y
HAS NEVER HELD HIM
BACK AND HOW HE ’ D
LIKE TO ‘ SPEAK ’ WITH
A GEORDIE ACCENT
WORDS