What a Donut! Bennett Arron shares his diary
The Welsh comedian has kept a record of the laughs, the lows and the leeks of 2025
In 2002 I started writing a daily diary. I’d done this once before –aged 13—when a rather stingy relative gave me one as a barmitzvah present. I wrote every day for four years and stopped the moment I was about to ask a girl out. Spoiler: she said no. I didn’t start another until years later, when it looked as though a sitcom I’d written – and was due to star in – was going to be made. Spoiler two: the commissioner also said no (the same one who first rejected The Office, which I guess helps).
Still, I kept going. And I’m pleased I did. It’s become a record of everything from my son’s birth (my daughter had already arrived) to being arrested in a dawn raid by Scotland Yard for a Channel 4 documentary as well as co-starring in all four series of Radio 4’s ALONE.
So, as we approach the end of 2025, I thought I would read back over this year and highlight things that happened….
JANUARY
Stayed with family in Spain for the New Year – my wife’s family, not a random one. I started a podcast with the actress Tanya Franks called REMEMBER TO LISTEN – a fresh and entertaining chat around both the sad and more light-hearted side of living with someone with dementia.
FEBRUARY
There is so much antisemitism on the comedy circuit it’s really upsetting. Two of my oldest comedian friends have unfollowed me on social media because I’m writing about it a lot. I just can’t imagine them doing this to any other person in a minority group. Many clubs have suddenly stopped booking me, and I’m pretty sure it’s not because I’m Welsh.
MARCH
I have written a children’s book and am trying to find an agent and/or publisher. I also started writing a new Edinburgh show, provisionally titled Under his Hat.
APRIL
I met with an acting agent whom, I had hoped, would take me on. Sadly there’s apparently not much interest in a middle-aged, short, stocky, balding Jewish Welsh character actor. I changed the title of the Edinburgh show to I REGRET THIS ALREADY.
MAY
Hosted the Jewish Community Awards in Manchester. A lot of fun and I got to meet Andy Burnham – who was part of the reason I was arrested! I forgave him. Having difficulty sleeping so decided to count the number of times that Jewish comedians have appeared on TV panel shows and comedy specials. Still awake after finishing 10 seconds later.
JUNE
Did a first preview of my Edinburgh show. It went better than I had expected. People really related to the ‘hilarious’ subject matter of dementia, depression and death. Finished writing another children’s book, this time with Ivor Baddiel.
JULY
Rachel Creeger and Philip Simon have had their Edinburgh shows cancelled! I’m wondering if my venue will also cancel or whether I will have problems. Or, more worryingly, if there will be any laughs.
AUGUST
The Edinburgh show went really well. Four-star reviews and packed houses. And no problems. In fact, in one show there was an Orthodox Jewish guy sitting next to a guy wearing a Free Palestine T-shirt. They enjoyed it, but I’m not sure if they went for a drink together after.
SEPTEMBER
Got my first booking to give a talk next month on the subject of depression, anxiety and mental health. Ironically I’m quite nervous about doing it.
OCTOBER
Gave the talk on depression and mental health. I’ve spoken around the world about fraud, cyber security and identity theft and people have always been polite. But nothing matched the response to this talk – laughter, crying, several rounds of applause. It was like going to therapy except better, as this way people are paying to me talk about myself!
NOVEMBER
Spotted something Ben Stiller said about comedy becoming more challenging – and he’s just made a film (Focker In-Law) with Robert De Niro! Try appearing on a rainy night at a Christmas Work Party, where all they want to do is get drunk and “get off” with each other! But Ben is right in a way. Some audience members look to take offence while some comedians look to be offensive. Agree to be a donut for Life (the mag not ‘in perpetuity’) which was followed by Rabbi Santa’s Night of Christmas. It’s my tenth year of organising it so it’s become as much a Christmas/Chanukah tradition as Mistletoe and Menorahs (yes I know it’s meant to be Chanukiah but that’s not alliterative!) And it’s a tad premature this year, but mince pies have been in Sainsbury’s for three weeks….
DECEMBER
The month began well as I joined the bill for Barry Cryer’s 12 Jokes of Christmas – so lovely to be part of a toast to the wonderful comedian/comedy writer. I then performed at a lovely gig in Twickenham which was only spoiled when a young girl approached me afterwards and said that she enjoyed my stand up and asked if I was on Instagram. Her friend then said: “You know he’s Jewish?” She said: “I thought that was a joke!” I said it wasn’t and then she said; “Then I’m not following you, because of what you’re doing to the Palestinians.” I can’t pretend it didn’t upset me.
The following day the attack in Sydney happened. That night, after lighting both a Chanukah candle and a Memorial candle, I wrote on social media: “Why don’t you stick your thoughts and prayers up your **** and instead try to stop the violent antisemitism” It had a mixed response.
The first entry for 2026 in my new diary – Jan 11th –The Big Jewish Comedy Gala at Theatre Royal Haymarket. I’m delighted to be a part of it.
So what will the other entries be in my new Superhero Diary (no, YOU grow up!) Well, on a personal level I’m hoping that my books and scripts will be produced, that I will be booked for more talks and gigs, and that people will come to see me on tour – including the show at the Radlett Centre on 15th April.
On a wider level, I’m hoping for world peace. I know it sounds trite and cliched but it’s what we need to aim towards. There’s been enough division and hate. The world leaders need to do something to make this happen and not just talk about it. As a famous Rabbi once said; “A little less conversation, a little more action.” Although thinking about it, that might have been Elvis.
Follow link for tickets to The Big Jewish Comedy Gala https://trh.co.uk/whatson/the-big-jewish-comedy-gala/
and see my show I REGRET THIS ALREADY is touring the UK, including at The Radlett Centre on 15 April. http://bennettarron.com
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