Latest news with #BigStrongBoy
Scotsman
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Comedy reclaims power over difficult issues
The comedy industry runs on late nights and post-gig pints This summer I celebrate ten years sober – ten years of saying no to the thing that once defined most of my decisions. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... I got sober in my twenties, right when my comedy career was starting to take shape. Giving up drinking is hard. Giving it up in an industry that runs on late nights, green rooms stocked with lager, and post-gig pints is even harder. But I had to. I wasn't drinking to have fun anymore. I was drinking to escape myself. And eventually, something had to change. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Since then, I've spent a decade on the road as a stand-up, navigating life without alcohol—and more recently, life with ulcerative colitis. It's a type of inflammatory bowel disease that can cause stomach pains, fatigue, and, ahem, 'emergencies'. I was diagnosed three years ago, and while the physical symptoms are brutal, it's the shame and silence around chronic illness that hit hardest. That's where comedy came in. I've always believed stand-up can be a powerful tool for breaking taboos. Over the years I've used it to speak honestly about addiction, illness, and even the visa issues that nearly kept my Australian wife out of the country. My latest show digs into the moment I left home at 18 without telling anyone, and how that decision shaped the rest of my life. There are two kinds of Fringe shows: gag-packed hours from club veterans, and slower, more reflective storytelling shows. I've done both—and I don't believe they need to be separate. The club set style can be a perfect vehicle to explore big, personal topics. It makes these stories more accessible—especially to working-class audiences who might not see themselves in theatre-style shows. I don't want a comedy show to feel like homework. I want people to laugh, but also to leave with something real. Talking about addiction or chronic illness doesn't have to mean taking the joy out of the room. If anything, it puts more joy in. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Because once you've taken your hardest experiences and turned them into something that makes people laugh, they lose their power to shame you. And that's what keeps me going. Liam Withnail is performing his new show 'Big Strong Boy' at this year's Edinburgh Fringe at monkey Barrel 1 from Tues July 29 to Sunday August 24
Newsweek
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
WWE Superstar Addresses Fan Concern Amid Hiatus
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. WWE superstar Tyler Bate has broken his silence on his ongoing absence from television. The former NXT United Kingdom Champion clarified his status in a recent social media post, confirming he is not injured. Bate, along with his New Catch Republic tag team partner Pete Dunne, has not been seen on WWE programming since late May. This led to reports that both men were on the shelf with injuries, but Bate's update paints a different picture. HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 11: A general stadium view during WWE Monday Night RAW at Toyota Center on March 11, 2024 in Houston, Texas. HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 11: A general stadium view during WWE Monday Night RAW at Toyota Center on March 11, 2024 in Houston, Texas. In a post on his Instagram account, Tyler Bate shared a new image of himself with a short but very telling caption. His two-word message has clarified his physical health while raising new questions about his creative direction. Bate wrote, "Not injured. Waiting..." This statement directly contradicts a recent report from the Wrestling Observer that claimed both Bate and Dunne were sidelined with injuries. While Pete Dunne's status remains unconfirmed, Bate has made it clear that his own absence is not due to a physical issue. This suggests that WWE creative currently does not have a storyline for him. A Frustrating Pattern This is a particularly frustrating development for the "Big Strong Boy," who has had a stop-and-start career on the main roster. He previously missed nine months of action from mid-2024 to early 2025 with a torn pectoral muscle. He returned in March of this year to reunite with his longtime rival and partner, Pete Dunne. The duo, known as New Catch Republic, was seen as a promising addition to the tag team division due to their history and acclaimed in-ring chemistry. However, since reuniting, they have been used sparingly, with their last match being a victory over A-Town Down Under on the May 26th edition of Main Event. More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation A Storied Champion Tyler Bate is one of the most accomplished young talents in WWE. In 2017, at just 19 years old, he made history by winning a tournament to become the first-ever WWE United Kingdom Champion. His subsequent matches against Pete Dunne for that title are considered some of the best in the history of the NXT UK brand. Bate is also a former NXT Tag Team Champion and NXT UK Heritage Cup Champion. Despite this impressive resume, he has yet to be featured in a significant, long-term storyline on the main roster. His recent post suggests that the wait will continue for the foreseeable future. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports
