Meryl O'Rourke

Acclaimed stand-up comic and accomplished TV writer Meryl O'Rourke, revels in her bitterness. A potty mouthed potty trainer, she has delighted comedy audiences, written some of the best gags on telly and even hosted pop concerts (the last one to 12,000 people!)

She supported Frankie Boyle for part of his last tour, at his request. She also supported him at the Hammersmith Apollo. In his book 'Work! Consume! Die!' he calls Meryl "Inspiringly funny".

Meryl's cheeky routines of dysfunctionality get her choice gigs with major promoters. These include Up the Creek, Screaming Blue Murder, Off the Kerb, Banana, Comedy Company and The Funny Side; amongst many others. She performs 20-60 min sets, MCs and is also a popular choice for private parties and corporate events.
She runs her own club in Tooting where she is regular MC.

Her solo stand-up show Bad Mother… was a hit at Edinburgh and Brighton festivals. Directed by Foster's Comedy Award nominee Thom Tuck, it received 5-star reviews and was The Times’ Critic’s Choice.

“★★★★★ Truly astonishing show…a must see” The New Current

“★★★★ Her devastatingly direct show stands out for it’s bold, boundary-breaking nature…the shocking casualness of her delivery is spot on.” Jewish Chronicle

“★★★★ Very funny. Tightly written, deftly performed, intimate storytelling and packed with punchlines” TheLatest

“★★★★ Meryl has a natural wit that few possess” ScotsGay


Writing & TV
Meryl is a highly soughtafter gag writer who has written for the many of the flagship panel shows and comedy programmes for the BBC, Channel 4 and Dave.

Recently a stolen joke of hers went viral on Facebook, reaching at least 100,000 likes and 15 million views (at last count!)

This year she has been commissioned to write a sitcom pilot by the head of Radio 4 comedy.

Meryl is one of Celebrity/Big Brother's Bit On The Side‘s favourite guests, having appeared 5 times on the Channel 5 show.

“Yo BBBOTS- Meryl O’Rourke was amazing tonight! Proper funny women don't get enough exposure on telly, please bring back Meryl soon” - Junaid Alvi of The Huffington Post


Radio

An accomplished radio presenter, she also wrote and performed her own comedy series for Woman’s Hour on Radio 4, The Hysterical Method of Conception.

Meryl was nominated for the prestigious Sony Academy Award in 2003 for 'Best Breakfast Show' for her work co-presenting the 2CR FM Morning Crew.