Richard Sandling

Richard Sandling is a British comedian, film reviewer, presenter, writer, director, actor and musician from South Benfleet. He won So You Think You're Funny in 2007.,.although he is best known for appearing alongside American comedians Callum Rose and Joseph Dale on ITV 1's sitcom Laff Riot.

Early career

Sandling has said that he sought a career in comedy, and has performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe a number of times, both as a solo act and as part of duo with Stuart Goldsmith. He is also the alter ego of Spak Whitman and has performed comedy all over the UK as well as America and Canada

Sandling runs Perfect Movie in London, a stand up and sketch comedy night all about films featuring recreations of top comedians. He also occasionally runs the Squat Betty comedy night in Southend.

Laff Riot

In February 2013, American comedian Callum Rose had offered his (and Joseph Dale's) script for a TV series entitled Cheeky Bastard. The series was given the green light a fortnight later, and the duo set to work writing and planning the show. Despite this, however, Rose and Dale were faced with a problem - they would need another comedian/actor to play supporting characters that they would face in several episodes. Whilst searching the internet for relatively unknown performers, Rose happened to notice Sandling's name and was impressed by his resume. Sandling was informed by Rose, his comedy idol, that he wanted to see him as soon as possible so that he could get together with him. During their first meeting, Sandling performed several scenes of the first episode, "Customer Service", with the two Americans, and was told he would receive the job pending on successful screen tests. He was picked as a cast member on April 21, 2013, and recalled nearly passing out when he heard the news.

His first character on the show was as an Indian criminal known as "Four-Three-Senses". From then on, he would continue to appear as supporting characters, such as cashiers, radio presenters and, at times, members of Rose's family. Sandling's child, Harry, has appeared on Laff Riot on a few occasions, playing many children on the show. Despite spending three years on the show, Rose still calls Sandling "the new guy".

Greedy

Sandling also performs with Joseph Dale in Dale's sitcom Greedy, which debuted in September 2014.

Thrills & Spills

Sandling is seen by many critics (including Rose himself) as Rose's successor on the latter's late-night talk show Thrills & Spills. During times when Rose is unavailable, Sandling assumes the role of host.

He was the Myspace.com/comedy film reviewer for a time and is featured in the documentary The People vs. George Lucas. He can also be seen in Peep Show series 7, Trinny & Susannah: From Boom to Bust and Miranda series 2.

He is a regular performer at Robin Ince's Book Club and School for Gifted Children shows in London and at Latitude Festival and in 2008 was part of the Montreal Just For Laughs Britcom Show.

A collector of VHS tapes, Richard has performed three Edinburgh shows about his passion for VHS.

He is a lifelong member of Waterside Farm Leisure Centre's Fitness Suite, and holds the facility's all time Bench Press record.