Simon Bligh

Simon has been fascinated by Asia and especially Japan since he was a young boy. At 16 he studied Zen in his bedroom in Liverpool, Karate at Church hall and ate all his meals with chopsticks, including chips! Just before going to University all his hard work in Karate paid off as he became a 3rd Dan Black belt and gained his BA (hons) in Philosophy and Comparative religion from Manchester University.

After a few years cutting his teeth as a young Stand Up Comedian Simon went to live in Tokyo to teach English in 1980. When he returned he wrote a one-man show called “BANZAI” which was nominated for the equivalent of the Oscars of UK comedy, The Perrier Award. It was then filmed by the BBC and performed in the West End of London at Her Majesty’s theatre. This is Simon’s first trip back to Japan since 1982.

“Always funny, a blazing talent” – The Times

“Superb muscle man of comedy” – The Guardian

Over two decades later, Simon is one of the finest, most accomplished performers in this country and beyond. A regular at the Comedy Store, he has also performed all over the world, including, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur the Middle East and the USA. Simon also has a host of TV and radio credits. These include: The Stand Up show BBC, Saturday live ITV, The Graham Norton show CH5, The Comedy Store CH5 and the 11 O’clock show CH4.

He has recorded his own pilot TV show for the BBC called ‘Dojo Rising.’ His most recent work is ‘Kung Fu comic’ which has just been recorded and is about to be screened on the BBC. Simon has also just finished recording ‘Four at the Store’, for BBC radio 4. Simon also starred in a short film called ‘Money Trouble’ which is about to go on general release in the UK and the United States.

“A Genius!” – New Musical Express

“Very funny, recommended” – The Independent

“A manic wide-eyed crazed funny man” – The Evening Standard