Wil Hodgson is an English stand-up comedian, born in Bath in 1978 and based in Chippenham, where he lives throughout his life. He begins performing comedy in early 2001. Before that, he works part time as a lecturer at Wiltshire College and trains to be a wrestler, taking part in 30-man battle royals.

Hodgson is known for a fast, almost monotone delivery and a distinctive stage persona that divides audiences. He appears with a bright pink mohican and often refers to 1980s girl toys including Care Bears and My Little Pony. His material draws heavily on autobiography and personal opinion, rather than straightforward observation.

Comedy material and themes

His routines include material about women’s bodies, which he describes as nature’s greatest invention, and criticism of size zero models and airbrushed photographs. He prefers magazines such as Readers Wives and says he has a preference for larger female celebrities including Fern Britton and Liza Tarbuck. He presents a form of pseudo-feminism, sometimes says that he hates all men, and shows admiration for lesbians. He has also expressed sympathy for radical feminists such as Valerie Solanas, author of the SCUM Manifesto.

Political background and stage work

As a student at the University of Luton, Hodgson is a member of the Socialist Workers Party and the Anti Nazi League. He says he has no specific political allegiance beyond a firm opposition to racism, sexism and homophobia.

His Edinburgh Festival shows largely consist of stand-up about his lifestyle and opinions, together with long monologues about “The Red Team”, a possibly fictional primary school sports day team of outcasts and misfits, and its rivalry with the bullying “Green Team”. In 2004, he wins a Perrier Award for Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.