Have you heard the one about the Re-engage Rainbow Call Companion volunteer who decided to be a stand-up comedian at 77?

Well, here he is: Bill Hopkinson played his first gig recently and got such a rapturous reception from the full house that he’s been booked for another one – and is anticipating there will be more in the pipeline.

“I enjoyed it. It seemed to go down well,” said Bill, from Newham, east London. “I did a sort of mockery of old age with lines like: ‘My pharmacist brings my medicines on a trolley because they’re too heavy to carry.’

“I did a bit of research online to get some material but most of it is from my imagination. I’m a former university professor and was also a Church of England minister so I’m used to talking to groups of people. I don’t find it daunting at all. I think I enjoy writing the material more than delivering it, but the whole process is fun.”

Bill, who is also starring in a local production of Romeo and Juliet at the Theatre Royal Stratford East, did his first stand-up during Loneliness Awareness Week in June at the Stratford Advice Arcade, east London.

There was standing room only after all 80 seats were taken for the free, 15-minute session. And Bill hopes there will be a similar attendance for his next show at the Newham Leisure Centre in October.

“I always like to try something new,” added Bill. “People seemed to like my material and I believe there are going to be more bookings so I’ll keep going.”

Rainbow Call Companions is a service for people aged 75 and over, who identify as LGBT+. Volunteers make regular phone calls, to offer friendship, support, and a sense of community. Did you know that all of our Rainbow Call Companion volunteers identify as LGBT+? People using the service say it helps to know from the start that the volunteer they're talking to shares some common ground with them. Discover more about our award-winning service by clicking the button below.