One of Northern Ireland's most popular comedy talents is taking his laughs to the Ulster Hall for his biggest headline show.
William Thompson was only 18 when he decided to try his hand at stand-up comedy and eight years later, there is no slowing him down.
The East Belfast comedian will be getting into all things growing up in NI, life with cerebral palsy and mastering dating in his newest show 'The Hand You're Dealt'.
Read more: Shane Todd on comedy, boxing and how to deal with NI hecklers
Speaking to Belfast Live, the 26-year-old shared what it is like to work in the local comedy scene, his podcast and TikTok success and having a laugh with everything that's thrown at you.
William said: "I was always a fan of it and watched it as a kid and followed the scene closely growing up when it was a lot smaller than it is now so once I found out you could do an open mic, I signed up.
"Locally, I was a massive fan of Colin Geddis, Shane Todd and Mickey Bartlett and then on a wider scale, I loved people like Kevin Bridges and Bill Burr - Michael McIntyre and Peter Kay too when I was younger."
William has gone from his first open mic night at the Pavillion to some of the biggest stages across the country, working alongside or supporting some of the comedians he once looked up to when getting into the industry.
"I think I am in a good place at a good time. I don't feel I would have this success in another place - I feel I would still be a comedian but it wouldn't be going as well as it is.
"I am lucky enough that the scene here is fantastic, everyone works with each other and gets better.
"I'm 26 but I have been doing this now for eight years so I think I am lucky that I started young and that would be my advice to anyone thinking of trying comedy because you will be terrible for a few years," he laughed.
Despite his natural wit and banter seeming ever so effortless on the likes of podcasts such as Tea With Me hosted by Shane Todd or The Mudblood Podcast he hosts with Paddy McDonnell, William explained that he is much more comfortable playing to a crowd than a podcast mic.
"The podcast success is weird," he said.
"It is still not something I am very comfortable doing - I am very uncomfortable on them, mainly because everyone I am doing podcasts with has been doing them for years.
"I think I am very loud on them a lot of the time and I think I enjoy the energy of a live crowd and when that is not there, I get very uncomfortable.
"But it is definitely a key to how well things have been going for the industry, between podcasts and social media."
On the transformation of the industry over the last few years, he said it has been "surreal" to be a part of.
He added: "I don't think any of us can really believe we are doing the stuff we are doing.
"It used to be if you had 30 people in on a night, you'd consider it busy but now everyone is doing arenas and big halls - it's a bizarre thing that I am doing the Ulster Hall and it's not even that big a deal at this stage.
"There are about five acts on the scene that can do an arena and for a country our size, that's insane and so unheard of."
In this new show which is his first narrative set, William will discuss growing up disabled in a council estate where people aren’t known to be sympathetic, relationships and stereotypes as he tries his best to make the most out of the hand he was dealt.
"The whole show is really about trying to make the best of any situation that comes your way - on top of being a pun on my cerebral palsy."
William will perform at the Ulster Hall on November 4 2023, for more information, see here
READ NEXT:
Watch: Comedians make Ulster Hall history at charity boxing night
Ciarán Bartlett on rise to become "Belfast Giant" on NI comedy scene
Belfast's 'longest-running' comedy club celebrates 30 years of laughter
NI comedians to take on Manchester United legends in charity football match
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our What's On newsletter here
