Paul Zerdin

**Paul Zerdin** was a Ventriloquist act from FantasyAGT: Battle of the Champions. He was eliminated in the Semifinals.

## Background

From the Royal Variety Performance to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, to India’s comedy circuit, Montreal’s Just For Laughs and UK tours with his Sponge Fest show and forthcoming Puppet Master tour, Paul Zerdin’s ventriloquism has impressed everyone from Her Majesty the Queen onwards. The UKventriloquist’s career has included appearances on everything from the Royal Variety Performance, Paramount and Comedy Central’s, The World Stands Up to ITV Daybreak, BBC TV’s The One Show, Sky News and Jason Manford’s Comedy Rocks.

Paul Zerdin’s live shows see him bring to life several very different characters amongst whom are the cheeky pre-adolescent Sam, belligerent OAP Albert and precocious infant Baby. Zerdin, who got the ‘biggest laugh of the night’ at the Royal Variety Performance in 2009, according to audience members, also went on to get 5 star reviews at that year’s Edinburgh Festival. Paul returned to Edinburgh to sold-out houses in 2010 and made his debut at Montreal’s Just For Laughs Festival that year before embarking on a major UK tour with Sponge Fest in 2010/2011.

When Paul was 10, a family friend made him a puppet theatre which he used to put on shows. As he is the first to admit, his hobby quickly grew into an obsession. "The real turning point was when I was given a book on ventriloquism by the legendary Ray Alan. By the time I hit my teens I was spending half an hour a day in front of the mirror practicing talking without moving my lips." Having failed his GCSE’s, Zerdin got a job in a magic shop, developing his magic skills along the way. Simultaneously, he was also developing a sideline as a children’s entertainer.

Zerdin made his TV debut as a magician on the BBC’s Tricky Business and shortly afterwards, at the age of just 20, landed a two year contract presenting the Disney produced kids’ programme Rise and Shine for GMTV.

In 1996, Paul was the first outright winner – by over 100,000 votes of LWT’s The Big Big Talent Show, hosted by Jonathan Ross. The experience not only raised his profile, but introduced him to Nigel Lythgoe, the man who would go on to create reality shows such as Popstars and American Idol. Lythgoe took the 22 year old Paul under his wing, paving the way for appearances on scores of shows, Tonight at the London Palladium, and Generation Game among them. It was Nigel who gave Paul his first brush with Royalty when he secured him a spot on the Prince’s Trust Gala Show in 1997. By the late nineties it was obvious to Paul that traditional variety shows were losing their appeal and it was then that Zerdin decided to introduce stand-up into his routine, a decision that has paid off handsomely. [1]

## Preliminary

Paul Zerdin's Preliminary performance in Episode BC03 consisted of throwing his voice to imitate a sound check malfunction and chatting with his puppet Sam about the judges watching Paul's mouth and Sam imitating Paul's words. Mike, Saf, Pennies and Fresh all gave him standing ovations. His performance was strong enough for the judges to send him to Judge Cuts along with Preacher Lawson and instead of Drew Lynch.

## Judge Cuts

Paul Zerdin's Judge Cuts performance in Episode BC08 consisted of performing with a baby puppet and telling him a story about Little Red Riding Hood and changing the Big Bad Wolf to a fluffy yellow duck. The performance ended with the baby "urinating." Paul received an enthusiastic reception from the audience. Mike, Saf, guest judge Luke, Pennies and Fresh all gave him standing ovations. His performance was strong enough for the judges to send him to the Quarterfinals.

## Quarterfinals

Paul Zerdin's Quarterfinals performance in Episode BC014 consisted of conversing with his puppet Sam. Sam and Paul had an argument after which Sam refused to talk. To embarrass Sam performing on his own, Paul left the stage. While Sam was sitting, however, he appeared to come to life and start talking with the judges. Paul then returned, with Sam seemingly lifeless again. Mike, Saf, Pennies and Fresh all gave him standing ovations. He received enough votes to place 6th or 7th in the voting. In the Judges' Choice, while Saf and Pennies voted for him, Mike and Fresh did not, resulting in a tie. It was then revealed Paul had placed higher in the voting, sending him to the Semifinals instead of Bir Khalsa,

## Semifinals

Paul Zerdin's Semifinals performance in Episode BC015 consisted of using Mike as a dummy (through a remote controlled mask). Paul then switched places with Mike by pretending to be a judge while he forced Mike to struggle and dance on stage. Mike, Saf, Pennies and Fresh all gave him standing ovations. He did not receive enough votes to advance to the Finals, eliminating him from the competition.