2012 Edinburgh Fringe

Jonny & the Baptists all-star NHS video

Jonny & the Baptists. Image shows from L to R: Amy Butterworth, Jonny Donahoe, Paddy Gervers

Jonny & the Baptists have organised a Band Aid style video, filmed in support of the NHS. The comedy blues music band sprung into action to create the thank you video after guitarist Paddy Gervers was treated at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

God Bless the NHS, an anthemic hymn to the National Health Service, was created at the festival in the past 48 hours. It follows an accident on The Early Edition which saw comedian-guitarist Paddy taken to A&E with an injury to his arm, resulting in the cancellation of several performances.

As you'll see in the video below, Jonny & the Baptists have roped in a number of their comedy friends to help make the song. Viewers might spot Marcus Brigstocke, Mark Watson, Josie Long, Mitch Benn, Andre Vincent, Cariad Lloyd, Max & Ivan, The Beta Males, Rachel Parris, Nick Doody, Thomas Nelstrop, Horse & Louis, Max Bowler and Underbelly Founder-Director Ed Bartlam lending their lungs to the project.

Jonny Donahoe, lead singer of Jonny & the Baptists, said: "We're thrilled to be back on stage and wanted to do something to thank the NHS. Just like Band Aid, when Bob Geldof got in Bono and Sting, I called some of our comedy heroes like Marcus Brigstocke, Mark Watson, Josie Long and Mitch Benn, as well as some wonderful friends from the circuit - and even Underbelly's own Ed Bartlam pitched in - it was real 'spirit of the Fringe' stuff. We hope we've done the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary team justice."

Without further ado, here's God Bless the NHS:

Jonny & the Baptists are now back in action and can be seen at 9:10pm every night at the Underbelly. Listing

Published: Thursday 9th August 2012

Share this page