Skip to content

Comic capers of four British comedians stuck in New York

Instagram/@nomadicrevery Lloyd Langford, left, James Acaster, Ed Gamble, and John RobinsInstagram/@nomadicrevery

Four comedians get stranded by a snow storm.

It sounds like the set-up to a punch line, and four British comics will have a blizzard of new material after becoming stuck in New York during this week's "bomb cyclone".

James Acaster, Ed Gamble, Lloyd Langford and John Robins have catalogued the trials and tribulations of their enforced exile in the Big Apple.

The group had gone to New York together to see in the new year, posting pictures of their escapades on social media.

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read  and  before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

But the larks stopped on Thursday when it became apparent they would not be leaving the city in a hurry.

After struggling to get in touch with anyone to rebook their flight, Ed Gamble took to Twitter to vent his irritation.

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read  and  before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

American Airlines tried its best to placate the apoplectic Gamble with a smattering of sarcasm, writing: "We wish Winter Storm Grayson would take it a bit easier on us too, Ed. We'll take it up with Mother Nature."

Unfortunately Gamble did not see the funny side, saying the "quirky" tweet was unhelpful.

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read  and  before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The delay was especially vexing for 2017's Edinburgh Comedy Award co-winner John Robins, who was supposed to co-present a regular show on Radio X on Saturday, with Welsh comedian Elis James.

Presentational grey line

Who are the stranded comedians?

John Robins, Ed Gamble,James Acaster and Lloyd Langford
John Robins, left, Ed Gamble, James Acaster, and Lloyd Langford
  • John Robins: The Bristolian has been a regular on the comedy circuit since 2005. His successful collaboration with Elis James on Radio X has earned them a Chortle Comedy Award. His 2017 comedy show The Darkness of Robins - about his breakup with fellow comedian Sara Pascoe - won him the Edinburgh Comedy Award, alongside Hannah Gadsby. He is a lifelong Queen fan.
  • Ed Gamble: The diabetic comedian first came to prominence in a double act with funny man and podcaster Ray Peacock. Since then he has become a regular at the Edinburgh Fringe, and played aristocrat Georgie in faux-reality show Almost Royal.
  • James Acaster: The actor and comedian is a regular on BBC panel show Mock the Week. He has also appeared in BBC Three sitcom Josh, and written the comedy pilot We The Jury. In 2017 he released Sunday Times best-selling book Classic Scrapes.
  • Lloyd Langford: The Welsh comic is a regular on a slew of panel shows, and also a prominent voice on the radio. He has appeared on Radio Four's The Unbelievable Truth, and the BBC television show Ask Rhod Gilbert.
Presentational grey line

Robins - who recently came second in Celebrity Mastermind, answering questions on Queen - took to Twitter, using the hashtag #GetRobinsHome.

He said: "I am on the same flight as Ed and would like you to sort us out so I can broadcast commercial digital indie to the nation."

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read  and  before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

His co-presenter Elis James - who is in the UK - joined the campaign, claiming he was in discussions with Downing Street to get Robins home to fulfil his obligations.

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read  and  before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

But competitive rivalry got the best of some of Robins' peers, including Eight Out of Ten Cats team captain Rob Beckett.

The comedian, who presents a rival show on Absolute Radio, was relishing the lack of competition.

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read  and  before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

Fans of the comedians have tried to lift their spirits with some personalised film posters, highlighting their plight.

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read  and  before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read  and  before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

Unfortunately, even with Robins flexing his commercial digital indie radio muscles, he did not get the desired result. And like Macaulay Culkin before them, the group found themselves lost in New York.

Josh actor Elis James was instead joined by his sitcom housemate Josh Widdicombe on Saturday afternoon's show.

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read  and  before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

Widdicombe questioned whether Robins was actually stranded, or whether it was a PR stunt to get more Instagram followers.

Elis James said: "Why didn't he get the boat? Is there not an overnight Atlantic service?"

Presentational grey line

You may also like:

Presentational grey line

Cabin fever seems to have set in with the group, after an article on comedy website Chortle about the situation gave John Robins top billing.

James Acaster wrote: "All comedians have had the chat 'if this plane crashed which one of us would be the headline?' And may I be the first to say I can't believe this."

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read  and  before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The headline provoked the ire of Ed Gamble, who claimed Robins got drunk while the Mock the Week regular "sorted emergency accommodation".

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read  and  before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

It seems, for the time being, Robins is out in the cold with his pals.

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read  and  before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.