The Stage Newspaper appoints first ever Showbiz Agony Uncle"

John Byrne brings his expertise as a cartoonist, accomplished author (40 books), comedian and performance coach to empower performers to

20 November 2003 is a date that will go down in history as top show business coach John Byrne becomes the first official Agony Uncle" in The Stage newspapers 120 year history. Despite the current rash of instant stardom" shows such as Pop Idol. Fame Academy and the ongoing march of reality TV, Byrnes new column is proof that life backstage is still as much about blood sweat and tears as glamour.

Described as the Obi Wan Kenobi to Simon Cowells Darth Vader", Byrne will use over twenty years of experience as a performer, manager and bestselling author to dispense wisdom and a shoulder to cry on to everyone from wannabees who are too large (or too talented) to fit the boy/girl band mode to established acts who are facing the horrors of panto in far flung places or cruise ships crawling with diseases. Like Cowell, Byrne often uses humour to tell hard truths but in a way that puts people back together, not pulls them apart. Lets face it, he says Even for big stars life can be like Simons waistband-up one day, down the next!"

In tackling the many problems performers experience but never get to talk about (until its too late) John will be using his column to explain:
    
Why people who should be in therapy often end up on stage instead (Example: Michael Barrymore, Ozzie Osbourne)

Why relations between performers and their agents require as much work as a good marriage .and can end up in very messy divorces" (Example: The Spice Girls and Simon Fuller)

How success too early can be the death knell for a lifetime career
(Example Hearsay)

And how with the right approach NO career is beyond redemption:
(Examples: Darius Danesh, Danielle Westerbrook)

As one of the countrys top comedy writers (BBC Radio 4) cartoonists (Nickelodeon TV) and a script doctor for several West End shows (Oh! What a Night), Byrnes mentoring and counseling career grew out of his discovery that he was ..Spending more time backstage helping people with their careers and personal lives then being onstage getting on with my own."

However, he has certainly spent enough time at the sharp end of show business to have experienced most of the traumas he now helps other performers cope with. I know exactly what it is to hide out in the car park of a comedy club rather then go back in and face the crowd Id just died in front of, and to feel the pressure of having to give a million dollar performance when you cant afford the bus far home."

The Stages Advice column will run every month starting from November 20th and will be supported by a website and a full team of qualified counselors and experts in every show business field.

John Byrne is available for interview and comment by contacting:

ENDS

For further information or to book an interview with John contact Richardson Pyke Associates
Tel: 0845 053 7676 e:carole@richardsonpyke.com

Biography

Johns work enthralls me"-Sheila Ferguson (The Three Degrees/Thoroughly Modern Millie)
John is a cheeky delight"     The Scotsman
Must have you back soon"    Executive Producer Exchange BBC TV
A great interviewee" Gloria Hunniford Show C5

John Byrne from Dublin, Ireland is not just one of Britains top cartoonists (The Stage, Media Week), Comedy Writers (BBC radio 4 sitcom starts on Sept 30th) and performers (Nickelodeon TV), he is also career coach and mentor to a wide range of singers, comedians and performers. Equally at home behind or in front of the camera or microphone, he has been a guest contributor to shows including Esther (BBC) The Revelation Game (C5) Fully Booked (BBC) Gloria Hunniford (C5) and many others

John has written many best selling How To" books on cartooning and comedy writing. Although much of his work involves sorting out show business problems he believes EVERYBODY can turn their talents and dreams into a stage career with the right advice and encouragement.

Johns joy in encouraging people grows from his Christian faith-he is a Church leader at Londons Victory Ministries in Streatham. Even that has a musical link-he was introduced to the faith by disco diva Candi Staton (Young Hearts Run Free).