Queen’s Guard Martin Semple makes comedy his career

Nov 23 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

WHILE a sense of humour is essential in the army one soldier has taken it a step further.

Martin Semple, 23, of Holmfirth, is a Queen’s Horse Guard, sitting on top of a horse guarding Whitehall, London, by day.

But at night Trooper Semple is HM Comic – using his day job as inspiration for his comedy routines.

Martin plays Lawrence Batley Theatre supporting surreal comic Charlie Chuck on December 11.

He will also warm up for BBC They Think It’s All Over veteran comic Lee Hurst at Holmfirth Picturedrome on December 22.

His comic career started at Crag Rats Theatre, Holmfirth, where, among jobs as a bartender and manager, he wrote pantomimes and comedy murder mysteries.

Feeling somewhat frustrated some years later, Martin decided to join the Household Cavalry aged 21.

He landed the glamorous job as a horse guard at Whitehall and Windsor Castle.

Martin, a former student of Huddersfield New College, said: “There’s some glitz and glamour and you get the girls but there’s lots of polishing of gear and the horses aren’t always that friendly. They try to bite and kick you – that happens daily.”

But it is his day job which has provided him with unique material which has caused his rise in popularity.

He’s played a prestigious midweek slot at London’s Comedy Store and he’s got a fan website on Facebook.

“It’s quite unusual to be a serving soldier and comedian but that is what’s been getting me all the attention.