How Deaf Parents Became the Heart of Ray Bradshaw's New Comedy Show Coda

Ray Bradshaw Turns Childhood Memories Into Comedy Gold with New Show Coda

For most of his childhood, Scottish comedian Ray Bradshaw thought nothing was out of the ordinary about growing up in a hearing household where both his parents were deaf. It was simply life as he knew it — until the wider world offered a different perspective.

"You don't realise how unique your upbringing is until you're older and start talking to other people," says Bradshaw. "You just assume everyone's experience is the same as yours."

Now one of Scotland's most respected stand-up comedians with over 16 years on the circuit, the Glasgow native has channelled those formative experiences into his latest touring show, Coda — a term used to describe children born to deaf adults.

A Personal Show Rooted in Real Life

The show dives deep into Bradshaw's upbringing, drawing on memories he had long since buried — many of which resurfaced only after sitting down with his family, including his parents Jill and David and his siblings Pamela and Mark.

One story that made the cut involves a well-meaning but slightly flawed piece of advice from a speech therapist. The therapist had suggested Bradshaw's parents leave a radio playing in his bedroom each night to help him develop language and hearing skills.

"My mum said they'd put the radio on for me every night," he recalled with a laugh. "The only problem was they had absolutely no idea whether it was actually picking up a station or not."

It's the kind of warmly absurd detail that perfectly captures the texture of his childhood — full of good intentions, genuine love, and the occasional communication gap.

Breaking Barriers One Gig at a Time

Bradshaw has made inclusion a cornerstone of his live performances for several years, regularly bringing a British Sign Language interpreter onstage during his shows. What might appear to be a modest gesture has, in reality, opened doors for audiences who rarely get to enjoy live comedy together as a family.

"I was in Bradford once and after the show a family came up to me in the lobby," he said. "There were two deaf grandparents, two hearing children, and three hearing grandchildren. The grandmother told me it was the first time they had ever all gone to the theatre together."

That moment, he says, underlines exactly why accessibility in live entertainment matters so profoundly.

Bradshaw holds the distinction of being the first professional comedian to perform a show in both English and British Sign Language simultaneously — a milestone he approached with careful deliberation.

"For the first six years of my career, I never mentioned that my parents were deaf," he explained. "I didn't want it to feel like a gimmick. I wanted to earn my place on the comedy circuit first. It wasn't until my first major Edinburgh run at the Gilded Balloon that I decided to have the show signed."

Identity, Confidence, and the Coda Community

For Bradshaw, growing up as a Coda wasn't just the inspiration for a show — it fundamentally shaped who he is.

"It's a huge part of my identity," he said. "It's made me who I am. I think growing up that way made me quite confident from an early age, because I was regularly speaking with adults and navigating situations most kids never had to think about."

He also finds unexpected moments of community on tour. During a recent performance, several other Codas were in the audience, and the group ended up sharing stories about the most frustrating phone calls they had to make on behalf of their parents as children — a distinctly relatable experience for anyone who grew up in a similar household.

Homecoming Show and Family Night Out

This Saturday, Bradshaw brings Coda back to Glasgow for a headline performance at the SEC Armadillo — with his family, including his parents, in the audience.

He admits they'll likely enjoy most of the show, though he expects a few raised eyebrows at some of the material he's chosen to revisit. Still, he's confident the stories are worth telling.

A Career Built on Craft and Comedy

Bradshaw first stepped onto a stage at the age of 20, driven, by his own admission, by a combination of spontaneity and liquid courage. It turned out to be one of the better decisions of his life.

Since then, he has built a reputation as a critically acclaimed touring comedian and a familiar face on television comedy panel shows. His passion for football has also found a professional outlet — he has worked with the Scottish national team and remains a devoted supporter of Partick Thistle.

His standing in the comedy world earned him a coveted spot on tour with British Comedy Award winner John Bishop, which included a performance in front of 11,000 people at London's O2 Arena. In a characteristically Scottish gesture of gratitude, Bradshaw presented Bishop with a Partick Thistle shirt with "Bishop" printed on the back.

A regular on BBC Scotland's beloved football show Off the Ball, Bradshaw is also preparing for something far more significant than any tournament this summer — the arrival of his second child, due, somewhat inconveniently, on the same day as Scotland's opening match against Haiti.

"Maybe if the baby arrives a little early, I might still catch the knockout rounds," he said with a grin.