South African Manx comedian
Pierre Novellie (born 31 January 1991) is a South African-born comedian and writer.
Career
Novellie has written for and performed on The Mash Report,[1][2] Chris Ramsey's Stand Up Central,[3] and The Now Show.[4] He was also a guest on BBC Radio 4's The Rest is History hosted by Frank Skinner.[5] Other highlights include appearing on the Joke Thieves pilot for BBC Two opposite Marcus Brigstocke, BBC Three's Edinburgh Comedy Fest Live[6] and All4/4OD Comedy Blaps series Taxi Gags[1] and Outsiders.[2]
Novellie's writing credits also include the Spitting Image revival, Mock The Week, Newzoids, Adam Buxton's Shed of Christmas,[1] and The Island.[2] He has supported Frank Skinner, Hal Cruttenden and Gary Delaney on tour.[1]
Novellie appeared alongside fellow comedian and Cambridge graduate Phil Wang on an episode of Dave's World's Most Dangerous Roads, broadcast in 2023.
Novellie was diagnosed with autism in 2022.[7] In 2024 he released a book titled "Why Can't I Just Enjoy Things?: A Comedian's Guide to Autism".
Novellie currently co-hosts the podcasts Glue Factory alongside Milo Edwards, Olga Koch and Riley Quinn, and BudPod alongside Phil Wang.[8] He previously hosted a regular podcast called My Favourite Podcast.[9][10] He appeared on episode 408 of Richard Herring's Leicester Square Theatre Podcast.
Awards
Novellie won the Amused Moose Laugh Off in 2013 at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.[11] In 2014 he was nominated for industry website Chortle's Best Newcomer award[1] and in 2016 was nominated for Best Club Comic at the Chortle Awards.[1]
Personal life
Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Novellie grew up on the Isle of Man and attended Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. At Cambridge he was a member and then Vice President of the Cambridge Footlights Revue.[12]
He first began to consider he might be on the autistic spectrum after a mild heckle during a standup performance in 2020.[7] An audience member said that "You sound like me", clarifying that "I have Asperger's - I think you have Asperger's."[7] After taking online autism tests he was formally diagnosed in 2022.[7]
References