Funnyman Paul Tonkinson Reminisces Ahead of Return to Hometown

Although he may have enjoyed over 15 years on the UK comedy circuit which in turn lead to receiving 2 Time Our Awards for his hilarity, stand-up comedian and all-round performer Paul Tonkinson will never forget his home roots in the peaceful seaside town of Scarborough. Ahead of his return to home soil with his tour taking to Yorkshire, Tonkinson looks back on his childhood and teen years growing up in the idyllic setting of God’s County. Although he may have achieved international recognition for his stand up performances, TV and radio shows, Tonkinson recognises him Yorkshire up-bringing has influenced him to this very day.

Paul Tonkinson

He tells tales of his childhood in a recent article published in Yorkshire Life, detailing exciting adventures to the local outdoor pool and summer holidays to roam the countryside. So how exactly has this made him the notoriously ‘funnyman’ he is today, as he prepares for his homecoming at Scarborough Spa? Despite living in London for the past 20 years, a great distance away from his northern roots, Paul Tonkinson maintains that his persona will always be shaped by his inner Yorkshireman, regardless of where he lives. Discussing the effects that being raised in Yorkshire had on him, he tells Yorkshire Life, “For however beautiful Yorkshire is, the main factor and wonder of it is of course, the people. “Not only had I had a reet laugh I had also ingested an attitude, a no-nonsense, straight to the bone way of communicating, conservative but warm, friendly but direct with a healthy distrust of pretension and pomposity that has stayed with me and that I celebrate and satirise onstage. I had been surrounded by characters so strong that they could not fail to leave an imprint upon my memory and thus my creativity.” Using characters from his childhood to influence his comedy sets, Tonkinson has become one of the UK’s favourite Yorkshiremen, earning praise from the likes of Michael McIntyre for his comic personality and loveable personality. Taking to the stage of his hometown on the 22nd February, you can catch Paul Tonkinson live at The Spa in Scarborough, tickets cost £10.00.

To book Paul Tonkinson for your event, contact Prime Performers on 020 7251 8222, complete our online enquiry form or email info@primeperformers.co.uk.
Back to blog