Draft:John May (actor)

John (Patrick) May (born 24 August 1981) is an English actor, comedian. , and writer. He is best known for his digital sketch-comedy shorts, Corona Mums and Turkey Teeth.  Outside of comedy, May has had notable roles in Doctor Who and Coronation Street.

He is also known as the mascot for BetFred in their televised advertising campaigns.

Early Life
May is one of five children to Pat and Bernie May. He is a twin with sister, Emma. Together, they grew up in a pub in Liverpool, England. May was the only one of his siblings to finish school. He immediately began work in the construction industry as a trainee plumber at the age of 16 but dropped out with ambitions of becoming a barber. He became a trainee barber at the age of 20 in Garstang.

Career
May's first role came as Jason Cox in Discovery Channel docudrama I Shouldn't Be Alive (2011). He later starred with Bob Hoskins in 2011 football feature, Will. In 2016, May played returning character, Mole, in British comedy, Fresh Meat. From 2013 to 2019, May frequently appeared in long-running British soap, Coronation Street before moving to work in the United States on Tin Star (2017). Returning to the United Kingdom, May was cast in Doctor Who, playing the role of Kev in The Halloween Apocalypse.

May has featured in several advertising campaigns for Betfred and McDonald's.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, May began producing digital sketch comedy with filmmaker, Owen Ward. As of 2024, the videos have reached a combined 1-million plus views online. Videos feature Darren Till, Pete Price, and comedian, Paul Smith. As a result, May and Ward set up Progress Pictures to continue their output of online comedy.

Theatre

Between 2021 and 2023, May toured his sketch comedy on the national stage, performing shows in London, Cardiff, Glasgow, and Liverpool. He was supported by comedian Frankie Allen.

Podcasts and Radio

In 2021, May was co-host with former IBO featherweight champion, Jazza Dickens on comedy podcast How Are We Famalam? The podcast ran for 19 episodes, featuring guests like Molly McCan, Tony Bellew, Lee Butler, and Jamie Webster.

In 2020, May featured on podcast Have a Word Podcast with Adam Rowe and Dan Nightingale.

Prankster

In 2017, May's long-time collaborator Owen Ward featured in an episode of court-based reality show, Judge Rinder, claiming May had refused to pay for his services as a filmmaker. Due to a lack of contract however, the Judge ruled that Ward had no case. It was later revealed that Ward's appearance on the show was a joke devised by Ward and May.

In 2016, May was hired by Liverpool F.C. and Jon Flanagan to prank footballers Lucas Leiva and Simon Mignolet. Posing as a cab driver and the world’s worst chauffeur. The prank was broadcast on LFC TV on April Fool's Day.

Personal Life
May has three daughters.

In 2018, May competed in the UK Bodybuilding Fitness Federation (BFF) North East Qualifier after losing 5-stone as a result of seeing himself at 230lbs via his Betfred advertising campaign.

From 2014 to 2022, May owned Sweeps (Liverpool) a Barbershop and Cafe and cut the hair of several notable celebrities, including former WBO light-middleweight Champion, Liam Smith. The location was used as a spot for several of May's digital films. Most notably, viral video, Sweep Wars, a Star Wars parody featuring Ewen MacIntosh.

Philanthropy

In 2023, May walked 1000 miles from Land’s End to John O’Groats in support of Elle Edwards and Weapons Down Gloves Up (Charity). He was joined by boxer Tony Bellew, boxing promoter Eddie Hearn, and former Liverpool F.C. goalkeeper Chris Kirkland.

In 2021, May faced former world featherweight champion, Derry Mathews in a charity boxing event.

In 2017, May ran a campaign to send a two year old boy, Charlie Holding, suffering with leukaemia to Disneyland. He raised over £10,000 in a fundraiser across Liverpool.