Comic Kevin Bridges takes year off and buys boat

Kevin Bridges is taking a year out to write his autobiography

The stand-up has taken up sailing after taking a year off from comedy to write his autobiography.

He bought a luxury cruiser and has been on regular trips around Loch Lomond with friends.

The 27-year-old was even joined by friend and fellow Scots comedian Frankie Boyle on one cruise around the waters.

Bridges told how sailing was one of a number of hobbies he had taken up during his career break.

He said: “I bought a boat and I now listen to the Shipping Forecast because I am trying to get into the maritime lifestyle.

“It never really makes much sense to me though.

“My mates have been on the boat and it’s good fun.

“I have taken a year off and I just get overwhelmed with boredom as I don’t have kids so I fill my days with stuff like that.

“I think I’ve discovered about 20 new things that I’m not very good at.

“I’m playing badminton, I go to boxing training and a Spanish class. I’m just chasing some void.

“Once you feel that void that’s when you start writing again.”

During an interview with Bridges on Radio 4, Boyle said his friend had driven the boat like a “maniac” from Clydebank to Loch Lomond.

The pair had planned to cycle to Balloch together before setting sailing but Boyle gave up just a few miles from his house in Glasgow and travelled by taxi.

Earnings

Bridges, from Clydebank, emerged on to the comedy scene just a few years ago.

He has earned £1m from a series of gigs at Glasgow’s SECC in 2012 and has had his own television show and best-selling DVDs.

Bridges has also applied to trademark his own name to launch a range of merchandise.

The trademark will give him exclusive rights over his own branded products and prevent traders using his name without permission.

He launched an online store on his website last year, and is now planning to expand his range of goods.

Last month, it was revealed he is to release his autobiography at the age of 27.

His memoirs will chart his rise from performing in Glasgow pubs and clubs as a teenager to sell out gigs and national fame.

Bridges is not using a ghost writer and admitted he was struggling to finish the book.

He said: “I’ve started writing a book this year at 27 so it’s about time I told my story.

“It’s just my CV and my exam results and my bronze swimming badge will get mentioned.

“Somebody from the publishers Penguin approached me and asked me ‘would you ever consider writing your story’ because it’s quite strange to start stand-up straight from school.

“I’ve wrote 40,000 words, I would say it is about half way there.”