El Baldiniho is a name that you can’t help but smile at, Jason confesses to CommunityAd that he first christened someone else by the comical name, a local lad who was always playing football, scoring goals while being bald of course.
El Baldiniho is the name that Jason decided would be best suited to his comedy act, although he admits it’s a nightmare to spell and fit on posters etc but Simon Cowell approved and he knows a thing or two about success stories.
Yes, you may recognise the quick-witted word magician from Britain’s Got Talent, CommunityAd were delighted to ask El Baldiniho a few questions about that and his work throughout the Euros on BT Sport and of course his love of Canterbury, particularly Wincheap that he’s called home for twenty-five years.
So, you appeared on Britain’s Got Talent in 2019. That must have been an experience, to say the least! Any highlights spring to mind?
It was a surreal experience walking onto the stage of the London Palladium to perform in front of Simon Cowell and the other judges and to meet Ant and Dec.
What struck me though, within 10 seconds of being on stage, was that I realised that it’s just a ‘gig’ like any other gig, there’s an audience in front of you and you’ve got to make them laugh… same as at the open mic comedy gigs. I did all them years ago at The Lady Luck, The Veg Box Cafe and The Rose and Crown in St Dunstan’s. Thankfully I got 4 yeses – it was a feeling of relief more than anything.
What makes it such a pleasant community to be a part of?
I like Canterbury and feel a big affinity with the Wincheap community in particular – I live there with my partner and both my children went to school there. I love being with friends in the cafes and pubs in town, walking with my partner Alison in the surrounding orchards and the countryside, going up the rugby club and attending any live music events around the city.
Tell our readers about what you’ve been doing throughout the Euros?
I’ve just finished filming a comedy series called ‘DIY Pundit’ for BT Sport. It’s basically comedians doing sport related jokes – I’m on with Tim Vine, Milton Jones and Mark Steel so I’m in good company. I’m the least famous person on there!
As a performer how tough has it been for the last 15 months without a stage to don? It must be great to be back?
Selfishly, lockdown was good for me – after being on the road for 12 years I got to spend much treasured time at home with loved ones. And I got to do all those pesky DIY jobs I’d been putting off for years. But like everyone else, I couldn’t wait to get out there again – I’d had enough of banana bread, Netflix and kitchen discos with the family!
Have you any dates for us locally to pencil into the diary and see you perform this summer?
I’m gigging all over the UK this summer, dates are posted weekly on my El Baldiniho Facebook page. I’m also in a band based in Canterbury, we are called ‘Northern Beauty’. We write original songs and do the odd cover – catch us at the Hampton Inn, Herne Bay 23rd August!