About
Joe Wells is a neurodivergent writer, comedian and podcaster. His writing career began when his first book 'Touch and Go Joe' about his experiences of OCD was published, since then he has made a name for himself as a stand up comic, writer and speaker. He has supported Frankie Boyle, Alexei Sayle and Stephen K Amos. In 2020 Joe went viral with his stand up clip 'Joe Wells on having a non-autistic brother' which gained over 4.5 million views across Twitter, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. Joe co-hosts the Neurodivergent Moments podcast and, in 2022, his second book, ‘Wired Differently; 30 Neurodivergent People Who You Should Know’ was published. Before he was a full time writer and comedian Joe facilitated a co-production group for young people with SEND which was highlighted as an example of good practice by CQC and OFSTED.
In 2023 Joe embarked on his first solo tour selling out venues of up to 300.
Joe’s new podcast Neurodivergent Moments with Abigohliah Shamaun is available here.
Writing
Pablo, CBeebies, Paper Owl Films (2021-present)
The Woohoo’s, Milkshake!, Snipple Originals (2023-present)
Have I Got News For You, Chairs Script, BBC One, Hat Trick
Frankie Boyle’s New World Order, BBC Two, Zeppotron (2022)
What If We Treated Fly Transformation The Way We Treat Mental Health?, BBC Three Quickies (2019)
TV
UKTV, Rosie Jones’ Disability Comedy Extravaganza.
BBC Sounds Access All Areas - Panelist
The Comedy Guide To Life, Dave Social Media
BBC Three Quickies, What If We Treated Fly Transformation The Way We Treat Mental Health? - The Fly
BBC Two, Ouch! Storytelling Live - Storyteller
BBC Two, South Today - Interviewee
Other
Art Fund, Meet Me At The Museum Podcast - Guest Comedian
Amnesty International, HumanTV - Performer
Books
Differently Wired: 30 Neurodivergent People Who You Should Know, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, Expected 2022
Touch and Go Joe: An Adolescents experience of OCD, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2005
Press
Joe Wells: King Of The Autistics
‘Joe Wells presents a mischievous, intelligent show about identity and representation with some exquisitely tuned, often very funny routines…a fine bit of writing and performance’ The Scotsman
Joe Wells: I Am Autistic
‘if you’re Autistic, I would highly recommend that you go and see this show – you’re going to love it. If you’re not Autistic, I need you to go and see this show’
★★★★ North West End
‘a Fringe-must-see’
★★★★★ Neurodiverse Review
Joe Wells: Doesn't Want To Do Political Comedy Anymore
i Newspaper The festivals best 10 comedy acts chosen by comedians
‘Another excellent show from Joe Wells… interesting ideas, funny lines, running gags and tying it all up in a satisfying conclusion’ ‘original and brilliant observations which are as funny as they are insightful.’ Stand Up Weekly
‘Great rhythm, a very high gag rate, and some wicked misdirections.’ Chortle
I Hope I Die Before I Start Voting Conservative
"If you're feeling Stewart Lee's absence at the Fringe this year, try this clever, funny hour on how ageing impacts a person's political views. It's thoughtful comedy with some big laughs." British Comedy Guide
★★★★
Broadway Baby
10 Things I Hate About UKIP
"He handles heavy topics with the care they require and shows comedy doesn’t need to harm people: indeed, it’s all the better for not doing so." ThreeWeeks
Night of The Living Tories
★★★★
“Blessed with a natural comic timing, Wells has a remarkable gift of laying it down to the audience with confidence and integrity. This show is a genuine hidden treasure of the Fringe and Wells is much more than the usual fist-in-the-air outrage merchant. Clever, insightful and funny, well structured jokes are set up and delivered intelligently and candidly. Top stuff.” Chortle
"Night of the Living Tories offers up a battery of good jokes about our bad government." The Guardian
★★★★
“This show is accessible for the political novice. Wells’ ability to both deal with sophisticated political dialogue without losing outsiders along the way is a testament to his skills as a comic. This is a cheeky, intelligent and well crafted hour of political comedy with punch.” Broadway Baby
★★★★
Theatre Reviews
“A very talented fellow." London Is Funny
“He brought to life the dark past (and present) of the Tory party with humour. I found myself hanging on to his every word." EdFringe
"In the debut outing for his Night Of The Living Tories show, Wells showed why he is one the finest young political comics doing the rounds; he's bold, cutting and, at times, ruthless." Brighton Argus
"I should tell you that he is “one to watch for the future”, but honestly, he’s more than that he is one to watch now." We Love Brighton
"Wells is set to go far with this level of quality in new material." Total Politics
Other press
“Joe’s charming ability to highlight the ideological pitfalls of sexism, racism and fascism is frankly intimidating, complimented by his outbursts silencing any bigoted argument in this verbal quest for equality. Refuting his physical likeness to a “Tory-boy” he then waded in further by unravelling political systems, using horror film analogies to bring clarity to complex issues. These dark comparisons, lightened by Joe’s relatively calm demeanour, were well delivered, accurate and praised by an army of laughter. I should point out Joe is a Marxist, I should point out Joe is an award winning comic and I should tell you that he is “one to watch for the future.” But honestly, he’s more than that, he is one to watch now.” We Love Brighton
"In the debut outing for his Night Of The Living Tories show, Wells showed why he is one the finest young political comics doing the rounds; he's bold, cutting and, at times, ruthless. At his peak he was unstoppable, especially when it came to race. He turned Bernard Manning jokes on their head - cleverly swapping the butt of them from black people to Conservatives – while later brilliantly belittling the “ain’t no black in the Union Jack” chant so favoured by the BNP and EDL." The Argus
"A tight and confident set with some exceedingly clever moments." Fest
"A star of the future. Some of the most surprising and thought-provoking material coming from any comedian in his early 20s." The Guardian
"Highly original, inspired and suitably different from the rest of the crowd. Brilliantly crafted jokes." Comedy Central
"A real venom in his delivery seemed to communicate that the numerous laughs that he manages to obtain are just positive collateral to the message he is trying to portray" Broadway Baby
"A tight confident set with some exceedingly clever moments." Broadway Baby
"A much-needed voice against hypocrisy as well as a wonderfully talented stand-up comedian, Joe Wells uses his comedy to burst a gigantic hole in the sides of homophobia, misogyny and racism while still managing to remain funny throughout." Portsmouth Evening News
Awards
Guide Award Winner Best Comedy 2013, 2017 & 2018
Runner Up Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year 2012
Finalist New Act Of The Year (formerly Hackney Empire) 2011
Winner Comedy Central Funniest Student 2010
