Charlotte Dawson, daughter of comedy legend Les Dawson, is set to become a stand-up comic, practising her jokes to a cardboard cutout of her late father. The TV personality said she had become 'really really low' wondering what she is going to do with her life, but now realises comedy is in her 'genes' and her 'blood' – and stand-up is her 'calling'.
Comedy in Her Blood
The Ex on the Beach and Celebs Go Dating star said she is not going to copy her late dad's act and is instead planning her own live show. Known for his deadpan style and hilarious face-pulling, comedian, actor, writer, presenter and pianist Les was one of TV's best-loved stars from the 1950s up to his death from a heart attack in 1993 aged 62.
Charlotte, 33, who announced her new career in a video posted on Instagram, said she could never be like 'my amazing hero' as 'nobody can be like Les Dawson'. But she has been writing down gags on her phone – and practising them in front of her dad.
Practising to a Cardboard Cutout
She said: “I practice all the time in my mirror. I’ve got my dad’s cardboard cutout and I just do it to him as well. I mean obviously he’s not laughing with me. It’s a tough crowd. But I’m always trying. I’ve written down scripts on my phone.”
“I just feel like I want to go for it. There’s a different style that I want to do. I’ve got all different ideas. My ADHD brain has got hundreds of different tabs open of what I want to do. I love having a laugh. I love not taking myself too seriously. And I just love making you all belly laugh as well. I just love bloody belly laughing.”
“Obviously it does run through my blood, my veins – the comedy genes – thanks to my amazing hero my dad who is an icon. But obviously I am never going to be like my dad. I would never try and be like my dad. I just felt for the last few months where am I going in my life, what do I want to do? Nobody can be like Les Dawson.”
New Career Chapter
The mum-of-three, who hosted MTV dating show Love Squad and presents a weekly podcast called Charlotte's Naughty Corner, has run beauty, tanning and fitness businesses. But she now wants to add another string to her bow.
She wrote on Instagram: “I want to be a stand up comedian. For months I’ve been thinking apart from being mummy mummy mummy everyday and trying to run all my businesses what else do I want to do. I love making people laugh and not taking life too seriously. I know I’ll never be my dad, the biggest comedy hero to so many and to myself. But I deffo have some of his comedy genes in me and I really am excited about this next chapter.”
“I feel I had to say it out loud to you all to do it so I’ll actually do it!! I’m thinking of doing a live show soon. Would you all come? I’m scared, nervous, don’t know what to do. But I really feel like this could be my calling. I could be wrong but I hope I’m not.”
She was blitzed with messages of support from her 1.4m Instagram followers. One wrote: “OMG! A sketch of you and your Dad (in hologram form) would be amazing. And yes, you are bloody funny, go and do it lass!” Another added: “Think that you are a natural and it's definitely your calling @charlottedawsy you are one of those naturally funny people with natural comedy timing and who never has to try hard to be funny plus you are very quick witted with come backs. Comedy genius in training.”
One more wrote: “Told you this for years! Get on that bloody stage girl. It’s your calling.” Another said: “You’re always funny Charls, even when you don’t even realise you’re being funny - go for it! Your dear dad would be so proud.” One more added: “Why would you not when your Dad was one of the best and most talented stand up comedians ever. You’re his sense of humour to a tee. Go smash it Les Junior. He would be so proud.”
