Interview: Why Stephen Bailey says fun could be the secret to a better workplace

Stephen Bailey is a comedian, broadcaster and LGBT speaker known for his sharp wit, heartfelt storytelling and ability to make audiences laugh while reflecting on deeper issues like social mobility, inclusion and class.

With credits spanning TV, radio and live stages, he brings warmth and authenticity to every performance, drawing on his working-class upbringing and his journey from supermarket checkouts to the national spotlight.

Film News Blitz presents this exclusive interview Stephen Bailey did with The LGBT Speakers Agency - he opens up about how humour became his escape and his voice, how he tailors his comedy to different audiences, and what he hopes audiences take away long after the laughter fades.

Q: Growing up in Manchester, what first inspired you to break into the world of comedy, and how did those early experiences shape your path?

Stephen Bailey: “Comedy, you know, I wanted to get into comedy because I was always interested in the entertainment industry.

“But I grew up in a council estate in Manchester and so while I was always attracted to the razzle dazzle.

“I mean, I’m just going to be honest, I was a big fan of things like The X Factor, Popstars: The Rivals, the sort of light-hearted entertainment shows where you’d sit down with your family, dinner on your lap - it was always interesting, that.

“But I never knew or thought of how to get into the entertainment industry. We couldn’t afford anything like drama school or anything like that.

“And as I got older, I also took on a part-time job at a supermarket and as I was working on the checkouts there, I sort of felt like I was always giving a show.

“And that’s sort of what led me to comedy because I didn’t know any other way in, and comedy feels like the one bit of the entertainment industry that you really can just start.

“Most pubs have a comedy night - tends to be in the corner of a room and it’s not always that pleasant.

“And so I just started giving it a go and, luckily for me, the first one went really well and I never stopped after that.

“The next few did not go as well, to be fully honest, but then we got into the swing of things and I just fell in love with making people laugh.

“And I sort of felt like the way I do comedy really reminds me of that banter I used to have on checkouts.”

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Q: Comedy is often about reading the room. How do you adapt your style to connect with such a wide range of audiences, from pub crowds to Radio 4 listeners?

Stephen Bailey: “So every audience is different. And, you know, you go to parts of the country where they’re sort of maybe slightly older demographic, a lot more middle class.

“Like I say, I’m from a council estate in Manchester so even your turns of phrase can be different, and so it’s really important for me to research the area I’m going to, the demographic.

“And now it’s a bit easier because I’ve been doing it for so long. You can walk in and you can say, oh, that’s slightly more middle class. And every room is different.

“The excitement for me of being a performer is, even though we can maybe perhaps judge a book by its cover, you don’t really know what you’re getting until you step to the stage.

“I always lean it that way. You know, I can be a bit more blue, let’s say, on stage sometimes, but I really go by what the audience wants.

“And you can tell within the first 30 seconds. So if it is a crowd that likes a ruder joke, I will go that way. If they are more clean, I will go that way.

“And that’s the beauty of it, I think. It’s sort of reminiscent of when I worked on checkouts - every person is different, you have to treat every person like an individual.

“But the joy with going into a corporate workplace is, you know, people are similar to their colleagues, that’s how they end up in a similar industry.

“People tend to be in similar areas and live in the same place, so it is easier to tailor it once you figure out who you’re dealing with.

“And I remember a few years ago it was really important for me to champion myself to get a Radio 4 special, because I’d done a lot of the light entertainment shows like Strictly: It Takes Two.

“You know, I’ve appeared in Coronation Street, I’ve done Live at the Apollo, Would I Lie to You?, but it was really important for me to get the Radio 4 side of things.

“Which, you know, is slightly more high-brow. It is slightly more, I would say, a middle-class demographic.

“It’s cleaner, it’s very clean, has to be very polished, no swearing, no profanity of any sort.

“And so I was like, I want to show that you can do that side too, because even though I can be fun and frivolous, you know, that’s not what everyone wants.”

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Q: Beyond the laughs, what do you hope people take away from your shows and public speaking engagements?

Stephen Bailey: “I really hope my audiences take away - from when I do corporate speaking and public engagements - I really want them to take away a bit of light relief.

“Like, even if we’re covering things like LGBT rights, social mobility, class, inclusivity in the workplace, I really hope people still take away a bit of light relief.

“Because, I don’t know about you, but me personally, I think the world has been heavy over the past few years and I think we do need to get back to that sense of lightness and levity.

“And I think the workplace is somewhere we spend most of our time.

“As I will always say, I’m a working-class man, I’m a grafter, I believe in earning your crust. However, I do believe you can have a nice time while doing it.

“You can be professional and feel like you’re having a great time - pop out for lunch with your colleagues.

“And so I just want people to go away and feel like, you know what, I’ve had a great weekend with my friends, but I’ve also enjoyed this week with my work friends.

“And so I hope it brings the workplace together by spending time with me, like I used to do with all the customers I would serve on checkouts. 

“I mean, I would create accidental coffee mornings where these two ladies that I’d be talking with on the checkouts would then go and have a coffee in the canteen together.

“And so I hope it just brings everyone together, allows people just to think about things less black and white, and walk away from the day feeling like, oh, I had a good day today and that was fun.

“Because I think we underestimate the power of fun.”

This exclusive interview with Stephen Bailey was conducted by Megan Lupton of The Motivational Speakers Agency.

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