Comedy promoter Alan Seaman has died. The death of the popular figure on the Midlands comedy circuit has been reported on social media and tributes have been paid by colleagues who worked with him over the years.
Geoff Rowe, the co-founder of the Leicester Comedy Festival, wrote on Facebook: "Such very sad news about Alan Seaman. He was a legend of the Leicester comedy scene. Thinking of his family and close friends at this incredibly sad time."
Fellow promoter Mike Bottomley posted: "Very sorry to hear of the passing of fellow East Midlands compere/promoter Alan Seaman. Hadn't seen him in quite a few years, but gigged for him a fair few times in my early years of stand up. Really nice guy and passionate comedy fan. Sleep well Alan."
Steve Day added: "Alan Seaman, promoter of wonderful little gigs in nice places and all around lovely man has died. I've worked for him for close to 25 years. I'm totally in shock. I know a lot of you will have known and worked for him too."
Lovdev Barpage wrote: "Really really sad news about Alan Seaman he was a lovely bloke and one of the first people to give me paid work, I remember dropping my dead pan persona at Alan's gig he used to run in Ship Of Fools after Darren Harriot dared me I was an absolute wreck, and that's how I feel right now. condolences to all friends and family x thank you Alan for being such a great person "
Carl Jones wrote a lengthy tribute: "I’ve just heard the very sad news that Midlands comedy legend Alan Seaman has died.
"Alan gave me my first ever paid gig, a £20 middle spot in Market Harborough, in my first few months of performing back in 2011. I was so excited to be given money to tell jokes that I immediately went to a curry house next door with the other middle spot to celebrate by spending it immediately.
He was one of the first promoters to really support me by moving me around the many gigs he ran over the years. The confidence that gives new acts is huge and shouldn’t be overlooked. I think and hope I always conveyed how grateful I was.
The joke with Alan’s venues was that it was always at least five miles from a street lamp and half a mile down a dirt track or he didn’t book it. I’ve traversed many a crater-like pothole immediately before and after his gigs.
I heard very recently that he was unwell and went to send him a message earlier this week to check in. For whatever reason, I didn’t finish it.
I did find a picture I took of him onstage at one of his rare unsuccessful attempts to launch a new venue, though. Having been promised a full setup, he apologised profusely to us all that the spotlight was weak, the mic cut out and that we’d all just have to get through it as best we can and that he’d never return.
Here’s Alan, laid across the floor in front of a radiator, quite literally hogging the limelight.
Much love and thoughts to Alan’s family and many friends at this very sad time. A proper gentleman and a lovely human being. Rest well, Alan."
James Wallace wrote: "Gutted to hear Alan Seaman is no longer with us. Belper people: he is the promoter that ran the gig at Number 28 (Ship Of Fools). Sadly I never actually met him but he was most pleasant to speak to via email and I have read nothing but lovely obituaries today. RIP Alan."
No cause of death has been announced. Alan Seaman had been unwell but had been promoting gigs right up to last week. He was also a freelance film teacher and was working on his first crime novel.
*editor's note. I've only quoted comedians who have posted tributes on public Facebook pages. If anyone would like to add anything or would prefer their comments to be removed please message me at [email protected] . Bruce Dessau, BTJ editor.
