5 things you need to know about… comedian Fred Cooke

He's the funnyman from Kells.

Fred Cooke brings his one man show, 'Culchie Slicker' to Vicar Street in Dublin this Friday night. Here are five things you need to know about the hugely popular comic: 1. He was in a BBC sitcom In 2012, Fred starred in a BBC sitcom called Vexed. Unfortunately, he was killed off 10 minutes into his debut performance. He still got a full actor's wage the next day, just to turn up and play dead. 2. He was a life-guard Fred Cooke saved at least 20 kids when he worked as a qualified Life Guard in Dublin and Kells. One of the kids he saved did look a bit like Ed Sheeran. Mind you, another one of those other kids he saved looked like your man from Crystal Swing. 3. Swimming legend In 1992, Fred finished 2nd in the Meath and District under 12 breast-stroke final. He would have won, only  his goggles filled up with water. He still suspects his nemesis from Navan of sabotage. (Breaststroke is a swimming technique. He wasn’t that much of a legend). 4. Rose of Tralee pedigree Fred Cooke grew up in Meath. He went to School in Cavan, yet spent all his summers in Leitrim. This makes him a natural born candidate to win the coveted Rose of Tralee. 5. He's supported Bon Jovi (no really) Fred’s biggest gig to date was supporting Bon Jovi at Slane Castle last summer. True story. Not on his own obviously. He played alongside Kells' band Hamsandwich. He was the only single guy on stage, trying to look his sexiest as he played the Glockenspiel. Fred Cooke brings 'Culchie Slicker' to Vicar Street this Friday and you can get tickets here.