It airs on our screens next month
Former boxing champion Tommy McCarthy(Image: Afro-Mic)
Boxer-turned-comedian Tommy McCarthy is the centre of a new documentary following his transition into stand-up comedy.
True North: Punchline – Fighting For Laughs sees the former European boxing champion take his career from the ring to the stage as he tries to make it big in the local comedy industry.
It airs on BBC One Northern Ireland and iPlayer on Monday, March 2 at 10.40pm.
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A description of the film reads: “Former European cruiserweight champion Tommy McCarthy has thrown in the towel on his boxing career, believing he has a shot at fame and glory in the world of stand-up comedy.
“However, with a wife and four daughters depending on him, Tommy needs to up his comedy credentials in order to turn his part-time hobby as a comic into a full-time career.
“To pay the bills, however, he’s not afraid of the hustle. Along with his podcast and food reviews, Tommy is also taking on a coaching role training his best friend Tyrone McKenna for a home bout in Belfast.
Tommy McCarthy(Image: Mark Robinson Photography/Matchroom)
“All this while trying to make it work in the world of comedy, performing around local bars and clubs.”
The documentary sees Tommy head to a ‘training camp’ in London, as he used to do in his boxing career, to get ready for an appearance at the world-famous ‘top secret comedy club’, where some of the biggest names have appeared.
The description continues: “After playing to a 200-strong crowd in London, Tommy faces his biggest challenge yet and a shot at the big time as he supports his friend and comedy mentor Paddy McDonnell at a packed SSE Arena.
“He can deliver a punch but can he deliver a punchline?”
True North: Punchline – Fighting For Laughs is on Monday 2 March on BBC One Northern Ireland and BBC iPlayer at 10.40pm. It is an Afro-Mic Production for BBC Northern Ireland.
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