Dave Spikey and Nat Coombs back Twitter-led charitable comedy collaboration

LONDON, UK, (RushPRnews)03/04/09–TwitterTitters, a new collection of comedy writing created through social networking site Twitter is set to tickle the nation’s funny bone in support of Red Nose Day on Friday 13 March with the publication of the TwitterTitters book, featuring comics Dave Spikey and Nat Coombs.

All proceeds from the book, which costs £4.99 to download or £9 in print, are to be donated to Red Nose Day by the creators of the project.

The TwitterTitters project, which was founded by Linda Jones and Louise Bolotin, set out to drive social change via Twitter, inviting comic writers to submit their work by using the social networking site to raise money for Comic Relief.

The finished book boasts exclusive new writing from Phoenix Nights co-creator Dave and a foreword from Nat whose comedy Chelsey: OMG! is an online phenomenon.

Dave has submitted a previously unseen story “The Best Medicine” for the collection which is an excerpt from his own upcoming book: “I gave him my kidney, then he stole my heart”.

Dave Spikey said he hoped the TwitterTitters Red Nose Day effort would unearth some untapped comic talent: “Not only is Comic Relief simply a great cause, but this particular project offers a brilliant opportunity for new writers. It’s fantastic that up-and-coming comedy writers can contribute to collections like TwitterTitters. Hopefully some stars of the future will be discovered through it! I’m also very much looking forward to sharing some previously unpublished material of mine with the readers.”

Nat Coombs added: “TwitterTitters is a terrific project, and I feel privileged to be in a position where I can help raise a laugh for Comic Relief whilst promoting young writing talent at the same time.

“Every year Comic Relief seems to raise more and more for good causes, and hopefully TwitterTitters can help push the total up. I was particularly keen to help as we have seen Chelsey: OMG! Gain over two million hits online and was keen to help writing through another social networking medium.”

Organiser Linda Jones she was bowled over by the backing from the two writers: “I am a massive, massive fan of Phoenix Nights so to get the backing of Dave Spikey is a bit surreal,” she said.

“We are hugely grateful for the backing of both Dave and Nat and are really looking forward to raising as much money as we can for Comic Relief. Chelsey: OMG! is a great social networking success story and we hope TwitterTitters can cause a similar stir. While this is a fun project we feel privileged to do our bit to help fund the wonderful work done by Comic Relief in the UK and abroad.”

Louise Bolotin added that the judging panel had been very impressed with the quantity and quality of submissions: “We’ve had more than 70 entries in a whole variety of different formats. We’ve had everything from monologues, to poems, short stories, and blog posts. I love a laugh, and it’s heart-warming to see so much comic talent out there, and people doing so much for Comic Relief.”

“More than that though, I’ve spoken to our judging panel, and the feedback from them is that the standard of entries is exceptionally high. Judging is taking place at the moment. Our aim is that the book will be ready to be edited, and that the book will be ready to go on sale at least a week before Red Nose Day.

“It’s been great to see Twittersphere join forces to tweet – and retweet – messages to promote the book. I’m touched and excited by the opportunities that this has opened up. It’s also incredible to have two comic talents of the calibre of Dave Spikey and Nat Coombs involved. Bring it on!”

Follow the TwitterTitters progress at www.twitter.com/tweehee or via www.twittertitters.com. The project is also being supported by PR company, Punch Communications.

Press Enquiries for TwitterTitters:
Pete Goold, Punch Communications
Tel: +44 (0) 1858 411600 / Mob@ +44 (0) 7830 236824
Email: pete@punchcomms.com

NOTES FOR EDITORS

Nat Coombs is a comedian, writer, presenter and the founding partner of a London media agency.

Over the past few years, he has emerged as one of the brightest talents in UK comedy. His latest venture, ‘Chelsey: OMG!’, a comedy charting the trials and tribulations of an American girl visiting London, recently launched on Bebo. Chelsey: OMG! has amassed over 2,000,000 views since its debut in October 2008.

Coombs wrote and co-produced the show, as well as devising its innovative format, whereby members of the public can interact with the show’s characters. Chelsey: OMG! has already drawn interest from a range of industry commentators, including Michael Moran in The Times and Victor Keegan in The Guardian.

As a comedy writer and performer Coombs has worked with some of the UK’s leading production companies including Endemol, ITV Productions, BBC, Shine, SMG, North One, Channel X, Monkey, Pearson, Diverse and Lion. He is also an accomplished actor, most notably appearing alongside Dame Judi Dench in the BAFTA-nominated BBC drama ‘Can You Hear Me Thinking?’

Coombs’ successful career in stand-up comedy has seen him perform at leading venues across the UK as well as making regular radio and TV appearances. A semi-finalist in the ‘BBC New Comedy Awards’ and a runner-up for ITV’s ‘Stand-up Britain’ award, Coombs’ work has been variously described as “incredibly stylish, with up-to-the-minute stuff” (John Pidgeon) and “like The Strokes beating the s*** out of Westlife in a car park” (Time Out). He has also taken part in the ‘Just For Laughs’ comedy festival in Montreal, where, according to journalist Tamsen Tillson from Variety magazine, he “set tongues wagging”.

Dave Spikey is a co-writer and co-star of Phoenix Nights, writer and co-star of Dead Man Weds and Magnolia; presenter of Bullseye and team captain on four hit series of 8 out of 10 Cats.
His book I gave him my kidney and he stole my heart is due to be published in October 2009 by Michael O Mara Books.

For more information, please contact Linda or Louise.
Linda: Linda@passionatemedia.co.uk www.twitter.com/joner 01543 468621 www.passionatemedia.co.uk
Louise: louisebolotin@googlemail.com www.twitter.com/louisebolotin http://louisebolotin.com

Dave Spikey can be contacted through Kath Todd at Bighook Ltd
e: kath.bighook@btinternet.com
t: 07525 204 254

Nat Coombs can be contacted through Rachel White at Intelligent PR : 0207 287 7222 | M: 07809 423 824 | W: www.intelligent-pr.com

Press Enquiries:
Pete Goold, Punch Communications
Tel: +44 (0) 1858 411600 / Mob@ +44 (0) 7830 236824
Email: pete@punchcomms.com