Growing up on a council estate in Manchester, Stephen brings a local voice to national stages – making him a standout among celebrity comedians & comedy acts speakers, as well as a sought-after LGBT speaker and diversity & inclusion speaker. Whether he’s headlining comedy festivals or uniting workplaces through laughter, his down-to-earth charm and quick-fire humour resonate with audiences from all walks of life.
In this exclusive interview with Champions Speakers Agency, Stephen reflects on his journey from supermarket checkouts to primetime TV, shares his approach to connecting with diverse audiences, and offers a heartfelt take on why fun should never be underestimated — especially in today’s world.
Q: Growing up in Manchester, what inspired you to get into comedy in the first place?
Stephen Bailey: “Comedy – you know, I wanted to get into comedy because I was always interested in the entertainment industry. But I grew up on a council estate in Manchester, and while I was always attracted to the razzle dazzle – I mean, I’m just going to be honest – I was a big fan of things like The X Factor, Popstars: The Rivals, the sort of light-hearted entertainment shows where you'd sit down with your family, tea on your lap.
“It was always interesting, that, but I never really knew or thought how to get into the entertainment industry. We couldn't afford anything like drama school or anything like that.
“As I got older, I also took on a part-time job at a supermarket, and as I was working on the checkouts there, I sort of felt like I was always giving a show – and that’s sort of what led me to comedy, because I didn’t know any other way in.
“Comedy feels like the one bit of the entertainment industry you really can just start. Most pubs have a comedy night – tends to be in the corner of a room and it’s not always that pleasant – and so I just started giving it a go.
“Luckily for me, the first one went really well and I never stopped after that. The next few didn’t go as well, to be fully honest, but then we got into the swing of things and I just fell in love with making people laugh. And I sort of felt like the way I do comedy really reminds me of that banter I used to have on the checkouts.”
Q: As someone from a local background, how do you adapt your humour to connect with different types of audiences across the country?
Stephen Bailey: “Every audience is different. And, you know, you go to parts of the country where the demographic might be slightly older, a lot more middle class. Like I say, I’m from a council estate in Manchester, so even your turns of phrase can be different.
“It’s really important for me to research the area I’m going to – the demographic. And now it’s a bit easier because I’ve been doing it for so long – you can walk in and say, “Oh, that’s slightly other sort of middle class.”
“Every room is different. The excitement for me, being a performer, is you sort of – even though we can maybe, perhaps, judge a book by its cover – you don’t really know what you’re getting until you step onto the stage.
“And I always lean into it that way, you know. I can be a bit more blue, let’s say, on stage sometimes, but I really go by what the audience wants – and you can tell within the first 30 seconds.
“So, if it is a crowd that likes a ruder joke, I’ll go that way. If they’re more clean, I’ll go that way. And that’s the beauty of it, I think. It’s reminiscent of working the checkouts – every person is different, you have to treat everyone like an individual.
“The joy with going into a corporate workplace is that people are often similar to their colleagues – that’s how they’ve ended up in a similar industry. People tend to live in similar areas too, so it’s easier to tailor the material once you figure out who you’re dealing with.
“I remember, a few years ago, it was really important for me to champion myself to get a Radio 4 special. I’d done a lot of the light entertainment shows like Strictly: It Takes Two, I’ve appeared in Coronation Street, I’ve done Live at the Apollo, Would I Lie to You – but it was really important for me to get the Radio 4 side of things.
“That’s slightly more highbrow – I’d say a more middle-class demographic. It’s cleaner, very clean. It has to be polished – no swearing, no profanity of any sort. And I was like, I want to show that I can do that side too. Because even though I can be fun and frivolous – that’s not what everyone wants.”
Q: What do you hope people take away from your shows and speaking events – especially those here in the North?
Stephen Bailey: “I really hope my audiences take something away – whether it’s from a corporate speaking event or a public engagement – I want them to leave with a bit of light relief.
“Even if we’re covering things like LGBT rights, social mobility, class, inclusivity in the workplace – I still hope people take away a sense of lightness.
“Because – I don’t know about you – but personally, I think the world has felt quite heavy over the past few years. And I think we need to get back to that sense of lightness and levity.
“The workplace is where we spend most of our time. And as I always say – I’m a working-class man, I’m a grafter, I believe in earning your crust. However, I do believe you can have a nice time while doing it.
“You can be professional and still feel like you’re enjoying yourself – pop out for lunch with your colleagues. I just want people to go away feeling like, “You know what, I had a great weekend with my friends – and I’ve enjoyed this week with my work friends too.”
“I hope my shows bring the workplace together – just like I used to do with the customers I served on the checkouts. I’d create accidental coffee mornings – two ladies I’d been chatting to would end up heading to the canteen for a brew together.
“So, I hope it brings everyone together, helps people see things less black and white – and walk away feeling like, “I had a good day today – and that was fun.”
“Because I think we underestimate the power of fun.”
This exclusive interview with Stephen Bailey was conducted by Megan Lupton.