Ian Boldsworth
{{Short description|British comedian (born 1973)}}
{{EngvarB|date=December 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2017}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Ian Boldsworth
| image = 2 - Ian Boldsworth, QED Con 2017, The Parapod podcast 02 (cropped).jpg
| caption = Ian Boldsworth in 2017
| birth_name = Richard Ian Boldsworth
| birth_date = {{birth date and age |df=y|1973|06|27}}
| birth_place = Warrington, Lancashire, England
| occupation = Comedian, actor, podcast host, writer
| website = {{url|ianboldsworth.co.uk}}
| years_active = 2002–present
}}
Richard Ian Boldsworth (27 June 1973, in Warrington, England),{{cite web |url=http://www.ianboldsworth.com/bio.html |title=Ian Boldsworth – Biography |publisher=ianboldsworth.com |access-date=22 April 2011 |archive-date=26 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110526231902/http://www.ianboldsworth.com/bio.html |url-status=dead }} previously known by the stage name Ray Peacock, is an English comic performer, best known for The ParaPod, The Peacock and Gamble Podcast and The Ray Peacock Podcast.{{cite web|last1=Walters|first1=Sarah|title=Ray Peacock: My double vision|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/comedy-gigs/ray-peacock-my-double-vision-4313019|website=Manchester Evening News|date=14 June 2013 |accessdate=11 May 2018}} He came to prominence in the Big and Daft comedy trio.{{cite web |url=http://www.comedycv.co.uk/raypeacock/index.htm |work=Comedy CV |title=Ray Peacock}}
Career
Boldsworth made his debut at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2002, originally as a brash Yorkshireman character named Ray Peacock who soon became a regular act. In his 2006 show at the Edinburgh Festival, the character was dropped in all but name for a confessional stand-up show called "Out of Character."{{cite web |url=http://www.chortle.co.uk/shows/edinburgh_fringe_2006/r/14667/ray_peacock_-_out_of_character |work=Chortle |title=Ray Peacock Review, "Out of Character" |year=2006}}
In 2007 Boldsworth began presenting the Chortle-hosted Ray Peacock Podcast alongside fellow comedian Ed Gamble and former EastEnders actor Raji James. It was succeeded by The Peacock and Gamble Podcast. Launched on 8 June 2009 and released on Mondays, the show was a comedic insight in the lives and experiences of Peacock and Gamble. Kings Place in London hosted a live version of the show in December 2009 featuring Nick Mohammed in supporting roles. The shows were also notable for their live Twitter take-overs, where Ray and Ed would hack into an audience member's account during the interval.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}} A limited Edinburgh run took place every Sunday of the 2011 Fringe.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}} The Peacock and Gamble Podcast ended with a live episode at Kings Place on 8 December 2011.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}} It returned for daily episodes at the 2012 and 2013 Edinburgh Festivals with a different special guest each day.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}
Peacock and Gamble also fronted the Emergency Broadcast show at the Fringe in 2011.{{cite web | url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/fringe/2011/peacock_gamble_emergency_broadcast/ | title=Peacock and Gamble Emergency Broadcast | website=British Comedy Guide }} This show had the concept that a "real" show has been halted so Ray and Ed must fill time.{{citation needed|date= May 2018}} Early examples featured a seance, a guide to world culture, a re-creation of the Stanford prison experiment, a tribute to Sister Act and live Guitar Hero.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}} In 2013, the BBC commissioned a pilot of Emergency Broadcast for BBC Radio 4.{{cite news |title=Radio 4 order Peacock & Gamble pilot |date=21 February 2013 |first=Andrew |last=Dipper |url=http://www.gigglebeats.co.uk/2013/02/radio-4-commission-peacock-gamble-pilot/ |work=Giggle Beats |access-date=10 September 2013 |archive-date=29 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131229202452/http://www.gigglebeats.co.uk/2013/02/radio-4-commission-peacock-gamble-pilot/ |url-status=dead }}
Between 2015 and 2018, Boldsworth made a three-season podcast called The ParaPod with comedian Barry Dodds. Boldsworth and Dodds would explore and debunk conspiracy theories and reports of paranormal activity. He also presented a mental health-themed podcast, The Mental Podcast, for which he won the 2017 Digital Champion award from Mind.{{cite web|title=Ian Boldsworth wins Mind award|url=http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2017/11/14/38420/ian_boldsworth_wins_mind_award|website=Chortle|accessdate=11 May 2018}}
In April 2018 Boldsworth announced the upcoming release of The Parapod Movie in which he and Dodds would travel the UK in a hearse with Dodds attempting to convince Boldsworth of the existence of ghosts. It was the first ever podcast to become a movie.{{cite web|title=The podcast that became a film|url=http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2018/04/06/39599/the_podcast_that_became_a_film|website=Chortle|accessdate=11 May 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/pro/inside_track/making-the-parapod-movie/|title=How we turned the ParaPod podcast into a film - BCG Pro|first=British Comedy|last=Guide|date=5 October 2021|website=British Comedy Guide}}
In September 2013, Boldsworth hosted a three-hour radio show on BBC Radio 4 Extra dedicated to comedy icon Les Dawson.{{cite web |title=Ray Peacock's tribute to Les Dawson |date=9 September 2013 |first=Andrew |last=Dipper |url=http://www.gigglebeats.co.uk/2013/09/ray-peacocks-tribute-to-les-dawson/ |work=Giggle Beats |access-date=10 September 2013 |archive-date=30 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230232355/http://www.gigglebeats.co.uk/2013/09/ray-peacocks-tribute-to-les-dawson/ |url-status=dead }}
As an actor he has appeared on Doctor Who, Red Dwarf and Skins.{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2286323/|title=Ian Boldsworth | Actor, Director|website=IMDb}}
Boldsworth retired from live comedy in 2017{{Cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/episode_98_ray_peacock/|title=RHLSTP 98 - Ray Peacock - RHLSTP with Richard Herring|first=British Comedy|last=Guide|website=British Comedy Guide}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.ianboldsworth.co.uk/project/stand-up/|title=Stand Up | Ian Boldsworth|date=16 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416200727/http://www.ianboldsworth.co.uk/project/stand-up/ |archive-date=16 April 2019 }}{{Cite web|url=https://newescapologist.co.uk/2017/11/18/its-a-shit-business/|title=It's a Shit Business | New Escapologist}} and much of his work now takes place on Patreon.{{Cite web|url=https://www.patreon.com/ianboldsworth|title=Patreon|website=www.patreon.com}}
Awards
- Internet Award (nominated) – Chortle Awards 2011, 2013, 2016, 2017{{cite web|title=Chortle Awards 2017 nominees announced|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/news/2453/chortle_awards_2017_nominees/|website=British Comedy Guide|date=16 February 2017 |accessdate=11 May 2018}}
- Best Compere (nominated) – Chortle Awards 2012, 2014
- Best Online Comedy (winner) – Midlands Comedy Awards 2016{{cite web|title=Midlands Comedy Awards 2016 winners|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/live/news/2338/midlands_comedy_awards_2016/|website=British Comedy Guide|date=28 November 2016 |accessdate=11 May 2018}}
- Best Podcast (nominated) – Ockham Awards 2017{{cite web|url=https://www.skeptic.org.uk/ockham-awards-2017/vote/|title=2017's Ockham Awards for Excellence in Skeptical Activism|website=The Skeptic|accessdate=14 May 2018|archive-date=18 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018022740/https://www.skeptic.org.uk/ockham-awards-2017/vote/|url-status=dead}}
- Digital Champion (winner) – Mind Mental Health Awards 2017{{cite web|url=https://www.mind.org.uk/news-campaigns/mind-media-awards/looking-back-at-the-mind-media-awards/|website=Mind|title=Looking back at the Mind Media Awards|accessdate=21 Aug 2021}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{twitter|InfiniteHermit}}
- {{IMDb name|id=2286323|name=Ian Boldsworth}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Boldsworth, Ian}}
Category:Alumni of Bretton Hall College
Category:Male actors from Warrington