Benny Shakes

Host

Benny Shakes has cerebral palsy and has been performing comedy since 2019, making a name for himself on the circuit as a formidable and talented act. Benny has had three successful Arts Council projects, starting with a research project into the barriers faced by disabled comedians where he interviewed disabled performers such as Aaron Simmonds and Lost Voice Guy on his weekly show Benny Shakes Things Up, plus two rounds of funding for development and touring of Blue Badge Bunch.

Benny’s ambition is to inspire and make as many people laugh as he can. In early 2020 he was rising up the ranks of the comedy circuit, appearing at comedy clubs across the UK. When the pandemic struck. In order to continue his comedy career, Benny organised the bi-weekly disabled comedians Zoom meet up and started an online game show which eventually became the show you see today.

Benny is originally from Ruislip and after attending Portland College to study Horticulture, now works on a community farm in Nottinghamshire.

Mark Nicholas

Resident Pannelist

Mark Nicholas is an autistic stand-up comedian and workshop leader, he is also a Max Turner Competition Quarter Finalist, Stand Up Nights Competition Semi Finalist, G&B New Act Competition Runner up, Online Gong Mad Winner and Comedy Store Manchester King Gong Winner 2021. He recently appeared at the Comedy Store London. Mark is MC and promoter for the fantastic Laugh-Able Comedy night, both resident and touring, performing alongside headliners such as Rosie Jones, Fatiha El-Ghorri & John Robertson.

Sarah Smith

Resident BSL interpreter

Sarah has interpreted for Blue Badge Bunch since the beginning. Sarah has a fresh approach to BSL, understanding that much of the show is improvised, rather than scripted. Sarah knows the BBB team well and is excellent at conveying the show to a d/Deaf audience, particularly when things do go off-script. Sarah is unphased by the funny and chaotic nature of BBB and therefore is well equipped to make d/Deaf audiences feel included!