{"id":429706,"date":"2026-02-17T03:11:21","date_gmt":"2026-02-17T03:11:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/429706\/"},"modified":"2026-02-17T03:11:21","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T03:11:21","slug":"documentary-to-follow-belfast-boxer-tommy-mccarthy-swapping-punches-for-stand-up-punchlines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/429706\/","title":{"rendered":"Documentary to follow Belfast boxer Tommy McCarthy swapping punches for stand-up punchlines"},"content":{"rendered":"

It airs on our screens next month<\/p>\n

Former boxing champion Tommy McCarthy(Image: Afro-Mic)<\/p>\n

Boxer-turned-comedian Tommy McCarthy is the centre of a new documentary following his transition into stand-up comedy.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

It airs on BBC One Northern Ireland and iPlayer on Monday, March 2 at 10.40pm.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: New film follows George Best superfans on pilgrimage to his Belfast home<\/a>READ MORE: The Northern Irish restaurants that retained their one-star status in the Michelin Guide 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

“To pay the bills, however, he\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/p>\n

Tommy McCarthy(Image: Mark Robinson Photography\/Matchroom)<\/p>\n

“All this while trying to make it work in the world of comedy, performing around local bars and clubs.”<\/p>\n

The documentary sees Tommy head to a \u2018training camp\u2019 in London, as he used to do in his boxing career, to get ready for an appearance at the world-famous \u2018top secret comedy club\u2019, where some of the biggest names have appeared.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“He can deliver a punch but can he deliver a punchline?”<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"\"Join Belfast Live Social on TikTok<\/p>\n

Belfast Live Social on TikTok<\/a> will be jam-packed with food reviews, concert announcements, vox-pops of all the important questions and more – giving you handy NI-centric What’s On news at your fingertips.<\/p>\n

Be sure to give us a follow HERE <\/a>and comment the type of content you’d like to see from the team in the future. We are excited to share this side of Belfast life with our new followers.<\/p>\n

Want to see more of the stories you love from Belfast Live? Making us your preferred source on Google<\/a> means you\u2019ll get more of our exclusives, top stories and must-read content straight away. To add Belfast Live as a preferred source, simply click here<\/a><\/p>\n