A sense of humour gives us confidence and a more optimistic outlook on life. The aim of a good joke is to make people smile, lift their spirits, and even draw attention to problems so we can tackle them together. This kind of good-natured ridicule is often aimed at exposing the flaws in individuals, society, or politics. Comedians are keen observers of the world around them, skilled at highlighting both its best and worst aspects. Joe Lycett, considered one of the most popular comedians in the United Kingdom, enthusiastically throws himself into the fight against injustice across various sectors of society. More at birmingham-trend.
A Rapid Rise to Fame
The comedian was born in Birmingham in 1988. He attended the prestigious King Edward VI School, where he developed a flair for performance. After completing his secondary education, he went on to study English and Drama at the University of Manchester.
At the age of 22, Lycett began performing on the same bill as comedian Jim Davidson, touring the UK together in 2009. Their tour created a unique dynamic, with their material often highlighting racist and homophobic prejudices. Davidson would play the part of a chauvinist and xenophobe, while Lycett cheerfully countered his views. In this way, the comedians offered audiences a choice: to reflect and change their own preconceptions, or to identify with the very person being mocked. After the successful tour, Lycett began performing solo stand-up shows and won an award for Best Newcomer. Television executives soon took notice of the talented young man, inviting him to appear on various comedy panel shows. Viewers loved his brand of social commentary, including jokes like:
“As a teenager, I came out as gay, but then I went back in, thinking it might be hard to get a job.”
His popularity grew with every appearance. Within 10 years, Joe Lycett was widely regarded among young people as Britain’s top comedian.
Using Humour to Tackle Society’s Pressing Issues
Through his comedy, Lycett has drawn attention to major social problems. In 2019, he launched his own show where comedy segments were used to take on big corporations, including banks and airlines. The programme’s goal was to push these companies to significantly improve their customer service.
In 2020, Lycett temporarily changed his legal name to Hugo Boss. This was his way of protesting the fashion brand’s actions of sending cease-and-desist letters to small businesses and charities that used the word “boss” in their names. His stunt succeeded in defending some of the affected businesses and served as a warning to large corporations thinking of pressuring smaller entities.
In 2021, the comedian released a documentary titled “Joe Lycett vs the Oil Giant.” In it, he humorously called out the CEO of Shell for the company’s “green” policy, which claimed to be aiming for reduced carbon emissions. Lycett interviewed eco-activists and demonstrated that this wasn’t actually happening. This tactic of public mockery prompted the corporation’s executives to review their activities.
Lycett’s next project focused on fundraising for a teenager’s medical treatment. The boy had started drawing on cardboard boxes while isolated in hospital. With the help of the comedian and leading British artists, the paintings were sold at auction, raising a sufficient sum.
A new documentary, “Joe Lycett vs Sewage,” was released in 2024, investigating the state of the country’s sewer network. His tongue-in-cheek investigation revealed that some structures hadn’t been repaired in over 80 years, with damage sometimes patched up with sticky tape or even plasticine. While Lycett may have been exaggerating for comic effect, the water companies were forced to publicly account for the funds allocated for repairs.
Joe Lycett continues to live and work in his native Birmingham. Through his witty and inventive projects, he has arguably had a greater impact on solving social issues than many journalists and public activists.
