The Audio Long Read From the archive: Divine comedy: the standup double act who turned to the priesthood
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Oct 1, 2025 Two comedians, Josh and Jack, embark on a profound journey from skeptical jokesters to priests, questioning the meaning of faith. Their friendship deepens as they navigate the challenges of ordination and the emotional weight of ministry. Balancing comedy with newfound beliefs, they grapple with ethical dilemmas and the sacrifice required for priesthood. The story unfolds their unique paths to faith, revealing how their comedic past shapes their spiritual future and the complexities of their identities within the church.
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From Fringe Comedy To The Altar
- Jack and Josh met at university and formed the comedy double act Moon, performing absurdist sketches in matching boiler suits.
- Years later both abandoned comedy and pursued ordination in the Church of England, surprising their friends and former audiences.
Priesthood Is An Unusual Path For Young Brits
- Young people becoming priests is rare: the average age at ordination was almost 46 in 2020.
- Their decisions stand out against a national trend of declining youth affiliation with Christianity.
Conversion Sparked By Crisis And Ritual
- Jack experienced an existential crisis after university and found St Bartholomew the Great's services moved him deeply in January 2017.
- He changed many habits—shaved his head and adopted a vegan diet—mirroring his earlier obsessive approach to comedy.
