Stephen Bailey performed his Nation’s Sweetheart show in the Aldridge Studio at The Lowry Theatre last night, and received a very warm reception from the almost sold out venue.

The thirty-year-old comedian was born and raised in Manchester, and it lifted hearts to know that his parents were at the show, to support him on home ground.

Nation’s Sweetheart is Bailey’s debut tour, and yet he made it clear last night that it was the audience’s show – he will carry on with whatever the audience are finding funniest – and so no two shows will ever be the same.

The gig at The Lowry Theatre, however, was definitely one to remember! Packed full of tales about online dating, family, and the activity on social media, Bailey’s show made everyone in the room so joyful.

With some audience interaction among the first couple of rows, you are made to feel very welcome and comfortable watching Stephen Bailey perform.

The tour does come with a parental guidance warning, as it is not for the people who do not like swearing or rude jokes about men’s private parts.

Stephen Bailey Nation's Sweetheart
Stephen Bailey performing his Nation’s Sweetheart tour in Salford.

If you like comedy gigs with a “why did I bring my mum to see this show?” factor, and if you do not mind being picked on if you get to the front row – heterosexual men beware – then Stephen Bailey’s Nation’s Sweetheart is the one for you!

Bailey speaks a lot about the bravery that people get when chatting over the internet, including online dating and social media, and tells the stories about some of his worst ever first messages on dating sites.

Nation’s Sweetheart also consists of tales from Bailey’s past, such as an awkward encounter at his first French lecture at university, about him coming out to his parents, and about what people from his school wrote to him in his leaver’s book on their last day.

Bailey’s comedy is very observational and clever, and everywhere you look, there are audience members nudging their friends and family as if to say “that happened to you”.

The tickets are priced very reasonably, and with an interval after 20 minutes to get another drink, and an invite to The Dockyard afterwards, what is not to like about Stephen Bailey’s show?

Last year, Stephen Bailey supported Katherine Ryan on her tour, but this year he has rocketed from support act to main act, and really has become the nation’s sweetheart!

If you would like to catch a show before the Nation’s Sweetheart tour finishes, go to Stephen Bailey’s website for more information, and if you would like to read some of his fantastic blogs – covering both funny and serious topics – click here.

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