Laughter proves the best medicine for Joe
COMEDIAN Joe Wells has proved laughter really can be the best medicine by beating depression to be named Britain's funniest student.
Joe, 21, suffered with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) as a child - a condition which made him depressed and isolated.
But after finding new confidence through therapy, Joe turned to stand-up comedy.
Now Joe, who says inspiration for his jokes will often come to him while he is in the bath, has been named as Funniest Student 2010 after a contest held at London's Comedy Store.
While suffering from OCD, Joe would need to drum his fingers or tap household objects for fear of 'losing his soul'.
He was powerless to stop the mental torture which also included washing his hands repeatedly until they were red raw.
But after receiving cognitive behavioural therapy, a psychological therapy designed to change people's thoughts and actions, he regained control.
He said: 'Overcoming OCD really builds your confidence. I used to get really down - it is not as frightening to go on stage!
'I like being the centre of attention now. I don't talk about OCD in my comedy, it is a separate issue. I stick to politics.'
Joe, who studies English literature and psychology at the University of Portsmouth, won the competition with his unusual choice of a love poem dedicated to Nick Griffin, chairman of the British National Party, and performed in front of more than 300 people.
'It was just like X-Factor,' said Joe, of Lawson Road, Southsea.
'We had to stay on the stage afterwards so they could comment on us. It was very nerve-racking.
'All three said "brilliant" and one said I was "inspiring and original".
'I was really pleased to win, it is great for my comedy CV. Other people who have won this previously are doing really well now.'
Joe, who is a member of the Socialist Worker Party, got into comedy three years ago and has been performing locally since then.
Joe will receive gigs from management company Off The Kerb who look after comedian Michael McIntrye, and mentoring and advice from Comedy Central as his prize.
For details go to: joewells.org.uk. To see Joe in action go to: portsmouth.co.uk/watchonline
As I found out on a disappointing trip to Wales.'
On Dr Pepper: ‘I saw that a bottle of Dr Pepper contains 58 per cent of your guideline daily amount of sugar, and their slogan is "whats the worst that can happen?" To which I would reply "diabetes!",'.
Laughter proves the best medicine for Joe
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Portsmouth
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: 2 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North
