‘I lost a fair whack of cash’: Comedian Joel Creasey reveals how he’s been impacted by COVID-19

Joel Creasey has spoken about the impact coronavirus has had on stand up comedians in Australia. 

The 29-year-old revealed he had ‘pretty much’ lost a year’s worth of work due to COVID-19 restrictions. 

Speaking to The Ben, Rob & Robbo Show on Thursday, the comedian explained he had to postpone at least 50 shows on his national tour, as well as his ‘dream gig’ as a Eurovision host being pushed to next year.  

‘I’m absolutely devastated. I think their [Eurovision’s] production value was going to be through the roof and now there’s this amazing stage sitting empty. It’s sad,’ Joel said. 

He added: ‘I was meant to be on tour [now]. I was on tour when it all got pulled. I had 50 tour stops ahead of me. 

‘I had Eurovision, a bunch of other shows lined up. You know how long it takes to put together a diary, a year’s worth of work wiped clean. It’s been testing.’  

When asked whether he’d lost a ‘year’s worth of income’, Joel responded: ‘Pretty much.’

‘I’ve postponed my tour to October but who knows if I’ll be able to do it then. But yes, I have lost a fair whack of cash. But look, I’m just copping it on the chin because there are people in far worse situations,’ Joel said. 

He added: ‘People are being so kind and suggesting “why don’t you go onto this website and upload your stand up show” or “why don’t you do it on this site”.

‘It’s not quite the same. Nothing will quite work like the thrill of a live audience. It’s really addictive.’

Joel went on to explain he felt pressure to be funny and create comedy during a trying time. 

‘Stand up comics, you know, not all but a lot famously suffer from tricky mental health and in times like this, people call on stand up comics to entertain them but a lot of us are the ones going through it a bit,’ he said.  

In March, Joel celebrated his third anniversary with boyfriend Jack Stratton-Smith. 

But due to the coronavirus pandemic, the pair are in isolation, and had to make some adjustments to the plans. 

The comedian explained that he and the 26-year-old underwear model stayed home and ordered a delivery of McDonald’s chicken nuggets and burgers, which they ate at the dinner table dressed in tuxedos.

‘We drank a bottle of wine and then were serenaded in our kitchen by my doppelgänger and life inspiration Courtney Act on Instagram Stories (actual heaven) before we moved a WHOLE THREE METERS to our dining table,’ Joel explained. 

‘There we enjoyed a delicious dinner prepared by Ronald (UberEats driver was most impressed when we answered the door dressed like THIS). We are just two men in their twentieths whose entire diet is made up of burgers and nugz. 

‘We then attempted to have a romantic dance but we fought over the song selection. And now we are eating McFlurrys in bed and watching Schitt’s Creek. Romance isn’t dead you guys!’ he concluded.