Tom Houghton, who hails from North Yorkshire, who is a viral sensation, stand-up comedian, and reality TV star has announced that one of his final shows of his upcoming 2025 international tour, Deep, will take place at the Darlington Hippodrome.
The show marks a full-circle moment for Houghton, whose comedic journey began in Darlington at the now-closed Indaba, once nestled next to Escapades.
Tom Houghton (Image: TOM HOUGHTON COMEDY) From his early days working front-of-house in local venues alongside legends like Francis Jones, to amassing a global fan base, Tom’s story is one of relentless ambition and authentic charm – but it’s not been easy, with the man himself saying that it has been a “rollercoaster” so far.
He said: “Returning to Darlington will be a dream – I first started at Indaba at a comedy night after my manager introduced me as ‘the person who works behind the bar would like to do some comedy’.
“They gave me five minutes and I caught the bug for comedy, I loved it from then on.”
Tom will embark on a 2025 tour (Image: TOM HOUGHTON COMEDY) Raised in Melsonby, near Richmond, Houghton is the son of Lord and Lady Houghton of Richmond.
His father, General the Lord Houghton GCB CBE DL, served as the Chief of Defence Staff, and his parents’ love story began at Catterick Garrison.
Growing up surrounded by Darlington’s rich community and history, Tom’s comedy is peppered with heartfelt anecdotes and sharp observations about his upbringing.
Despite moving to London and enduring a difficult pandemic, like most other comedians and people in the entertainment sector – with the comedian admitting that everything “ground to a halt”.
TOUR UPDATE.It’s 10 months away, but we have our first sold out tour show already!Overall sales are going great. So please to pick up your ticket asap.They make great Xmas presents https://t.co/ben0XCyiC4 pic.twitter.com/Vbdf451Jy3
— Tom Houghton (@HonourableTom) November 20, 2024
But what came next was beyond his expectations.
Houghton has skyrocketed to fame in recent years, amassing over half a million social media followers through his unique blend of humour and storytelling. His viral videos delve into his extraordinary life, as well as British history and candid chats with his father.
These clips have garnered millions of views, along with coverage in national media outlets like Sky News, The Times, and LadBible.
Audiences may also recognise Houghton from his appearances on Netflix’s The Circle, where he was a fan favourite, as well as Comedy Central’s Roast Battle and Channel 4’s First Dates.
Tom started his comedy career in Darlington (Image: TOM HOUGHTON COMEDY) Beyond the screen, his live comedy career has flourished, selling out prestigious venues like the Leicester Square Theatre, the Shepherd’s Bush Empire, and even the Mandela Theatre in Johannesburg.
But it’s Darlington Hippodrome, the 1000-capacity venue, that the comedian says will be the “cherry on the cake” in 2025.
He added: “It gives me a sense of pride to return to Darlington – my first job was there and have some great memories of the town.”
The 2025 Deep tour promises to be his most ambitious yet, with stops across Australia, New Zealand, America, and Europe before culminating in 51 UK dates.
Recommended reading:
Get more content including the stories that matter to your community from The Northern Echo.
The penultimate show at the Hippodrome on November 26 next year, before he plays London’s Leicester Square Theatre on November 28, will be Tom’s biggest show to date, a heartfelt nod to the town that ignited his comedic spark.
“This tour is a dream come true, but there’s something extra special about going to Darlington,” Houghton shares.
“It’s where it all began for me, and I can’t wait to bring the show home.”
Tickets are expected to sell quickly, so don’t miss your chance to see this local legend light up the Hippodrome stage.