Richard Digance

Richard Digance is founding patron of Alcohelp and is a renowned comedian and folk singer. He studied Mechanical Engineering at Reid Kerr College Glasgow, during which time Billy Connolly inspired him. In the 1970's he toured The United States as a support act for Steve Martin.

He first came to public attention as a "regular turn" on the popular Sunday evening Live from... (Her Majesty's/the Piccadilly/the Palladium) variety series (produced by LWT for ITV) and also on Summertime Special.

He is best known for his television one-hour specials, starting in 1985 with A Dabble of Digance. Abracadigance was a series of four shows in 1988. The 1992 show, Richard Digance's Greatest Bits, recorded at the Brighton Dome, included some of his most popular routines from stage and screen, including the "Nursery Rhymes", "Remembers" and "Jungle Cup Final". Many albums featuring his comic and serious music have been released. His first novel, Run Out In The Country, was published in 1983, and his autobiography, A Wealth of Comedy, in 1999. He is a regular guest in 'Dictionary Corner' on the Channel 4 game show Countdown, during which he performs his comic rhymes before the commercial break.

Richard explains, in his own words, why he supports Alcohelp:

"Alcohelp's co-founder, Terry Martin and I go back over 30 years! I would often perform in his folk clubs notably the Blacksmiths Arms at Epping and the Corbett Theatre in Loughton. We lost touch for many years but our friendship has re-kindled since I have been performing the music clubs again. It was at a concert I did at High Barn in 2007 that Terry explained to me the brilliant work that Alcohelp does and asked if I would consider being the charity's founder patron..I didn't really have to consider! The answer was a resounding yes. One thing I know about Terry- his involvement in anything is always done professionally and efficiently.
 

"The feedback that I have about Alcohelp, its workshops and its messages all show that Terry still upholds this ethos and I will help them in any way I can."