⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Engages her audience with such playfulness and genuine curiosity we have no choice but to cling to her every word.’ - EdFest Magazine 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘Jay Lafferty has cemented herself as one of the strongest comedians on the circuit today. It’s a marvel how consistently brilliant her shows are’ - Broadway Baby

⭐⭐⭐⭐  'warm, wise, witty and occasionally waspish' - The Scotsman

Sought after for her on point satirical views Jay Lafferty has become a regular face on BBC Scotland’s television channel. It was a performance on BBC’s Breaking The News that saw Lafferty hit the front page of The New York Times for her on point description of Theresa May’s catastrophic handling of the Brexit deal. Her Edinburgh Fringe 2019 hit solo show Jay Lafferty: Jammy was made into a BBC Radio Scotland three part series - Jay’s Jammy. In the new normal she was one of the few comics who performed a full Edinburgh Fringe run in 2021 with Jay Lafferty: Blether.

In 2022, she was chosen as one of the summer presenters for BBC Scotlands flagship afternoon show. Jay shone while interviewing guests including Alan Carr, Nick Grimshaw and Angela Hartnett. After being crowned Best Compere at the Scottish Comedy Awards in 2019, in 2022 Jay was nominated for Best Compere in the Chortle Comedy Awards narrowly missing out to TV favourite Zoe Lyons. Jay also cemented her spot as the host of the Edinburgh Fringe cult late night show Late N Live at the Gilded Balloon.

In 2023 Jay took on a new challenge working with Dan Scott from Clanfit to develop a brand new solo show that fused comedy with pole dancing. Bahookie opened at the Edinburgh Fringe 2023 to sold out audience and rave reviews. The show was listed in the British Comedy Guides best reviewed shows at the Edinburgh Fringe and went on to a national tour in 2024 with a reprise for four nights only at the Edinburgh Fringe . Jay continues to develop her reputation as a show anchor and is now a guest host for Breaking The News.

2025 kicked off in style with Jay featuring on BBC Radio 4’s iconic satirical show The News Quiz alongside host Andy Zaltzman. Her brand new show. Jay Lafferty: Ooft! debut at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2025 to 5 star reviews and sold out shows.

Praise for Jay Lafferty: Ooft! August 2025 - The List

‘Lafferty’s gentle geniality means it’s easy to understate her comedy smarts. There isn’t a single flat minute in this show and if the topics feel familiar, that’s part of the joy: her always slightly left-of-field take on the stuff we all know is the whole point. She’s the kind of comedian who makes you realise your funny best pal actually isn’t that funny after all. In a world that’s going to hell in a handbasket, it’s good to be reminded that our little bit of it is full of weird parents and angry drivers and clever bairns and nippy mothers-in-law, all fellow travellers on the last trains of life. It’s a smart message and a timely reminder from a comedian whose patient years spent learning her trade are clear to see. Ooft!: this is a great show.’

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Lafferty has charisma, a personality to engulf the entire room and the ability to write and perform amazingly funny shows. You would be a fool to miss out.' One4Review

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'An incredibly vivid storyteller" - On The Mic

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'There isn't a single flat minute in this show" - The List

Bio

Jay has been performing comedy since 2005 working all over the UK as well as performing in New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, Reykjavik and Amsterdam. An experienced compere and stand-up Jay has an easy manner on stage, instantly connecting with her audience - whether a rowdy group of stags and hens or a serene ladies luncheon.

Jay’s friendly and relaxed persona allows her to get a way with the darker jokes that punctuate her material. Her comedy has been described as chocolate covered hand grenades. Don’t be mistaken Jay’s personality can melt butter - sometimes by using a flamethrower. Clever material delivered with effortless charm and packing a bite every bit as bad as its bark. 

An experienced writer and performer Jay has worked on a number of hit BBC Scotland and BBC Four radio shows and one of the longest running panelist on Radio Scotland's Breaking The News.

Alongside Hannah Campbell, Jay hosts the podcast series Joy Agenda which sees the duo interview guests from the world of entertainment and beyond about what brings them joy.

Jay's Debut Full Fringe Run solo show, Besom (2017) ranked Number 5 in the Top 10 best reviewed comedy shows at the Edinburgh Fringe 2017. Jay’s shows have remained in the best review lists with Bahookie featured in the top 20 in 2023. In 2019 Jay was crowned Best Compere at the Scottish Comedy Awards and in 2022 Jay was nominated for Best Compere in the Chortle Comedy Awards.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘beautifully observed, delightfully written’ - One4Review

'Cuddly one sec, cruel the next, this comic will have you open-mouthed in amazement' - The List 

‘Jay is oh so good at chatting with the crowd, finding out information and using it to great comedic effect, laughs a plenty.’ - One4Review

'A stand-up with a future getting ever rosier' - Brian Donaldson

‘Jay has the audience in a consistent fit of laughter’ - The Student Newspaper

‘An evocative storyteller’ - The List

‘A strong and entertaining hour’ (Praise for Jay Lafferty Wheesht!) - The Skinny

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