Veteran comedian Barry Ferns has shared his sobering tale of how dedication to the Edinburgh Fringe led him to financial ruin and homelessness. Ferns, who first hit the stage at the festival in 1999, quickly amassed £5,000 in debt for his debut show, a figure that spiraled to £45,000 over the years. Unable to pay off his debts, he was declared bankrupt in 2007, leaving him homeless.
Coming from a working-class family in Dorset, Ferns had no safety net. He believed the key to honing his craft was performing at the Edinburgh festival every year, which proved to be a costly decision. Despite the financial setbacks, Ferns was determined to pursue his passion for comedy.
Ferns, who once performed as Lionel Richie and was known for his mysterious 'This belongs to Lionel Richie' stickers and gigs atop Arthur's Seat, found himself sofa-surfing before ending up in a squat in London. However, he viewed bankruptcy as a chance to start fresh.
Driven by his past experiences, Ferns founded the Angel Comedy club in London, offering free opportunities for comedians to perform. This year, he returns to the Fringe for the 20th time to share his story in the show 'My Seven Years as Lionel Richie' at Just The Tonic at the Caves.
Source: Chortle (UK)