MAGHERAFELT comedian John Devlin has amassed over 2.5 million likes on TikTok since starting his page in 2019. Initially posting covers of popular songs, John's account has now evolved into satirical comedy skits about his homeland and its culture.
"Initially, I had a whole run for trying to get a music career going, so I was doing gigs flat-out around Northern Ireland and I had a situation where I had a decent chance at making it on a small scale – but then Covid hit and it all kind of went down the drain.
"So, I had a choice and I thought, what are the two things I know best in the world? And basically, the two things are film and Northern Ireland, so I thought if I blended the two together in some weird comedic way I could do something with that."
@johndevlincomedy #northernireland #ireland #comedy #funny #johndevlin ♬ original sound - John Devlin
With over 72,500 followers on TikTok, the comedian has proven popular with both sides of the community in Northern Ireland and beyond.
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"I make all my content with the intention of impressing six of my friends, which seems to work.
"I tend to describe my comedy as taking the most fantastical ideas in the world and then putting the most mundane of Northern Ireland into it to create this weird blend that throws people off, but there's enough relatability in it that people can connect to it."
The 28-year-old is acutely aware of the past troubles that have faced Northern Ireland but hopes that his comedy can help to bring people together rather than cause controversy and division.
"Comedy is the universal language, especially in the times that we live in and particularly with the things that went on in the past in this country.
"It's very difficult to have a conversation about the different communities and the way that they are represented, and the one agreement I have with myself beyond anything else is that I want to make content that both sides of the community can laugh at, regardless of the topic."
John describes himself as a "regional comedian", however, his content has reached audiences around the world.
@johndevlincomedy #northernireland #ireland #irishamerican #comedy #funny #johndevlin ♬ original sound - John Devlin
"I get a lot of Scottish people watching my content, and they're amazing, but it gets weirder when it goes to America and places like that because their perception of it is very different. They don't get it the same way our own people would, but they weirdly still enjoy the content anyway."
Although his niche is creating relatable unbiased content about Northern Ireland, this can be a challenge at times.
"Sometimes there can be an anxiety around the idea of wanting to please people. In the sense of trying to make content that everybody can get and sometimes a video won't hit and you can have low views or whatever but I think the pressure aspect would be more along the lines of trying to get it so that everybody is included."
@johndevlincomedy Credit to @Hugh Carr #northernireland #ireland #comedy #johndevlin ♬ Main theme super smash Bros brawl - Captain Luigi J Pace
In addition to creating TikTok content, John is also juggling a full-time job in education.
"Even with working a full-time job, when I came home I still had so much time left and I spent a lot of that time feeling like I could be doing more with it, so I decided to start a TikTok account.
"I promised myself when I first started that, when I made a video, it would only take me 30 minutes and then it would be done – but it would look terrible."
Now the slapdash aesthetic of his videos has become something of a trademark for the comedian:
"I have skills in Photoshop and all the rest and I have a degree in film, so I thought to myself, what if it still looks bad but if I put enough effort into it so nobody could replicate it. Or, at least if they do, then they have my respect.
@johndevlincomedy Replying to @Rory season 2 of this sketch series is now under way after much requesting #northernireland #sketch #funny #comedy #johndevlin ♬ original sound - John Devlin
"I have sort of self-sabotaged myself though, because now all the videos I do, as bad as they look on the surface level, take about six to seven hours to put together."
Given his experience, John wants to use his platform to encourage more people, particularly in Northern Ireland, to pursue something that they are passionate about.
"I would implore people over here to chase something, because when you do, a part of your brain kind of unlocks that makes you realise a lot of the excuses that you come up with in your head are just phantoms. They're something you can overcome."
In terms of goals for the future, it is clear that John would like to continue pursuing a career full of creativity, but also one where he can help people.
"I think I would love to go and do something in film or TV and a lot of people have been pushing me to do stand-up, so I don't know.
"I'd like to attempt all of those things and just see what sticks, but I love my job too, and if I could have something in the future where I'm still able to help people on a regular basis or create a place where I could help people if I ever have the luck of being successful, I would love to do that too."
@johndevlincomedy The collaboration to beat Endgame meeting at the penty to determine who truly reigns supreme on NI tiktok #northernireland #ireland #comedy #tang #cultchie ♬ original sound - John Devlin
Follow John on TikTok at @johndevlincomedy
