Always Be Comedy: Maisie Adam & Alex Brooker & Elis James & Ahir Shah at Chelsea

Maisie Adam first tried stand-up comedy in October 2016, in her native North Yorkshire (and unlike most newbie stand-ups, she did a full hour for her first ever gig). A couple of months later, she applied for the UK's largest stand-up competition: So You Think You're Funny. She headed up to Edinburgh for the semi-final, which she won, and the final was held at the end of the 2017 Edinburgh Fringe. Maisie won this too, becoming only the fourth woman to have done so in 30 years. Maisie returned to the Edinburgh Fringe the following year with her debut show Vague, which sold out the Gilded Balloon every day, received rave reviews and earned her a nomination for Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards. She also won the Amused Moose National New Comic whilst up at the Fringe, and Vague was picked up by the Soho Theatre for an extended post-Edinburgh run in January 2019. You may have also seen Maisie Adam on BBC's Mock the Week, Channel 4’s 8 Out of 10 Cats and ITV’s The Stand Up Sketch Show, and she has appeared on The Stephen K Amos Talk Show (Audible) and Urban Myths (Sky Arts). Other credits include BBC Three’s Period Dramas, and as show support for fellow stand-up Kiri Pritchard-McLean

Cardiff-based stand-up comedian. A versatile comic actor whose character creation 'Rex' is a regular feature on Rhod Gilbert's BBC Radio Wales show, Elis' profile has been boosted with frequent appearances on BBC Radio One Wales, two critically acclaimed Edinburgh solo shows (The Most Cautious Little Boy in Wales – 2009, and Daytripper – 2010) plus numerous appearances on the UK comedy circuit including tour support act for Rhod Gilbert. Paired with comedian John Robins, Ellis also presents a weekly show on Radio X. In addition, their podcast, The Elis James and John Robins’ Show, has become cult listening – gaining them a devoted following, over 14-million downloads and a regular fixture in the podcast charts – and the pair have even written a book together! 'He hypnotises the audience into loving him. There's also a laugh every ten seconds or so which overall makes it a complete joy' (Time Out) 'An intensely likable performer, he manages to get the audience to share in the heat of his unlikely passion, and you'll be rooting for him throughout his various misadventures' (The Guardian).

Ahir Shah is one of comedy's brightest new talents, whose sharp brand of stand-up features a blend of socio-political awareness, energetic delivery and jokes. 'Destined to be one of the brightest stars in the British comedy firmament... a frighteningly intelligent gagsmith' (The Scotsman) 'An intense, exciting performer whose act crackles with wit, his energy holding the audience captive until lights out' (FringeGuru) 'A sophisticated comedian with an elegant, eloquent style that probes beyond the superficial' (Chortle) 'Charismatic and of rewardingly cerebral approach' (The Guardian) 'Catch him now... he's going stellar' (The List).