Garry Desmond Bio
Garry originally trained as an actor, a career which he followed with notable success (mainly in musicals) for five years. He took leading roles in such blockbusters as Grease, Sweeney Todd, Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, Annie, Godspell, The Lion The Witch And The Wardrobe to name just a few. Garry also took leading roles in several pantomimes usually playing the comical characters like Buttons, Wishee Washee or an ugly sister.
Early professional acting experience included film work for Crest International hotels training videos, voice-over work for BBC radio Humberside heritage walks, extra work in the blockbuster film Memphis Belle and the BBC2 drama portraits of a marriage.
While he enjoyed acting immensely it is a fiercely competitive field with long periods of unemployment. During one period between contracts, Garry strayed into the world of cabaret singing in working men's clubs in Hull to as he says "pay the bills". A very strong vocalist in his own right the show delighted his audiences. However this was not enough for a seasoned performer, Garry soon got bored with "Just singing" and started introducing jokes, sketches and impressions in between the songs and put together his own unique comedy vocal show.
As time passed the jokes and sketches grew in number and the songs were dropped one by one or re-written, famous song parodies are one of Garry's specialities. Eventually, the natural progression was made to a full stand up comedian.
Gary as well as touring the UK with his shows has worked all over the world as a stand-up comedian for 31 years including seasons in the former Yugoslavia (he maintains he did not start the trouble there) Majorca and 16 years as Gran Canarias' resident comedian. He has also completed many fly-outs including in Spain, Majorca and Germany.
In Gran Canaria Garry worked extensively and fast became the island resident comedian. As well as hotel and bar appearances he did a lot of work on paid cabaret night excursions for tour companies such as Airtours, Thompsons, JMC, Sunworld, Sunset, First Choice, 18 to '30s and Direct Holidays.
While in Gran Canaria Garry also wrote, acted in and directed three very successful sell-out pantomimes for the tourists and residents at Christmas time.
He was also involved in a Showaddywaddy tribute with four other male vocalists from the island one night a week.
During the day to stave off boredom, he got involved with a local radio station using his very versatile singing voice and aptitude for impressions and accents to record a great majority of the Jingles and advertisements for Kiss FM.
This eventually leads to his own comedy radio show "The Beer Bellies Breakfast Show" with another of the islands comedians, all performed in the style of two miserable but comical old men "The old gits Bert and Archie" who had something to say about everything in the world.
Garry returned to the UK in November 2008 due to flagging tourist numbers in Gran Canaria. He then spent several months working with a good friend and vocalist in a comedy duo "Two's Harmony" in the south of England.
Due to family commitments, Garry moved back to the north of England in early July and is now performing solo shows in the UK once more.
Garry was also booked to support Joe Longthorne as part of his 2013 and 2014 tours. Garry decided to take a step back from stand up comedy in August of 2021 to once again pursue his first love of acting.
He has since been signed up by Treble Clef Productions to narrate national tours of theatre shows. In the first show "The Everly Brothers Dream" he plays Hank White Sr a Southern American gent who tells the Everly's story between musical numbers. Garry also narrates the "Hollies Story" as Alan Clarke and Graham Nash's strict 1950's school teacher Mr Burke and the Monkees Tale as Jimmy Rafleson an ageing hippy.
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