A GREENOCK-born comedian who is bringing her show to Inverclyde says two iconic local venues have been a big part of her life over the years. 

Jay Lafferty will be presenting Bahookie at the Beacon Arts Centre tonight (Friday), on the latest stop on her tour of Scotland and beyond. 

In Bahookie, Jay shares hilarious tales of her pole dancing exploits - describing herself as the 'Liz Truss of pole dancing' - and muses on taking up a new fitness activity. 

She said she's excited about her 'homecoming' tonight and is looking forward to seeing all of her local fans. 

Jay, 42, said: "It's always really lovely to come home.  I feel like I will know everyone in the room tonight, so that's really nice!

"I'm really proud of this show and I'm excited to be bringing it to Greenock. 

"Bahookie is about joy, and about trying to be joyful, in a world that's more difficult to be joyful in now."

The last time Jay toured was with her show Jammy in 2019, which dealt with her IVF journey and the birth of her wee boy. 

Jay was born in Greenock and lived with her mum Patti, dad Billy, and her gran in Ardgowan Square. 

Her gran passed away when Jay was just three, and the family then moved to Gourock, before Jay's wee brother Shaw arrived around 18 months later. 

Jay attended Gourock Primary and Gourock High, and then studied drama and theatre arts at James Watt College for a year. 

Jay Lafferty is on stage at the Beacon tonight. (Image: Jay Lafferty) She says she spent a lot of her childhood in the much-missed Greenock Arts Guild.

Jay said: "I loved being in the theatre. I loved the smell of the paint and being in the dressing room. 

"I was part of Carol Fry's drama club, and all of the Greenock Players' pantos were in the Arts Guild. 

"Classes on the James Watt College course were in the Wallace Bennett Theatre.

"When the Beacon opened, I brought my kids show there, and I've been there a lot on multi-bill nights.

"I have a long history with the Arts Guild and the Beacon and a lot of great memories."

Jay is touring Scotland with her new show, Bahookie. (Image: Jay Lafferty) The talented comic completed a community arts degree at the University of Strathclyde before going on take a contemporary theatre practice course at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, now the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. 

Jay originally wanted to become an actress, and spent some time in Los Angeles, but opted to return home to Scotland to pursue a career in community arts.

While working for Scottish Autism, she took a comedy course at the University of Strathclyde led by Viv Gee - and that's when her stand-up career began. 

Jay said: "I've always been a wee show-off, ever since I was a wee girl. 

"I met Billy Kirkwood and Mark Nelson on the comedy course, and we became friends and started running our own nights, so it all just went from there."

Jay grew up in Ardgowan Square and in Gourock. (Image: Jay Lafferty) Jay started performing stand-up when she was 21 and carried on working in community arts roles until 2014, when she chose to become a full-time comedian. 

She said: "I was head of delivery for Impact Arts, worked with young people with challenging behaviours, and worked in Polmont prison. 

"When I went freelance, the first couple of years were a big adventure. 

"I feel quite proud of myself for navigating the landscape of the arts over the years and as it remains today."

Alongside touring with her own show, Jay runs a stand-up comedy course for kids, a creative comedy writing course for young mums, produces, writes, and is a regular voice on radio.

She said a passion for bringing joy to people has always been at the heart of her career. 

Jay added: "I've always had a really strong work ethic and community arts has always been at the core of what I do. 

"I'll always think of myself as a creative."

To book tickets for tonight's show, visit www.beaconartscentre.co.uk/events/jay-lafferty-bahookie