Devlin needs jaw surgery

Stand-up Bruce Devlin has undergone major surgery on a fractured jaw today after he was battered unconscious by teenage thugs in Edinburgh.

The 30-year-old comedian was attacked by four 16-year-olds on a bus just before midnight on Friday, after he compered a night at The Stand in Edinburgh.

He had his operation on Tuesday, according to the Edinburgh Evening News, which says the attack may have been captured on CCTV.

The attackers followed Mr Devlin off the number 22 bus in Leith, where they are believed to have knocked him unconscious.

A police spokeswoman said: "The assault is believed to have started on a bus and then carried on into Henderson Street.

‘[Mr Devlin] says that he has been assaulted by a group of youths but was knocked unconscious and can't remember much about the attack. He's given descriptions for all four suspects, all believed to be 16.’

Tommy Sheppard, director of The Stand, told the paper: ‘He's such an easy-going fun-loving guy and it is hard to see what sort of people would do this to him. It is absolutely shocking.

‘He's an excellent comedian, very well respected by his peers and very popular with the audiences. We want him back on the stage as soon as possible because he's a big asset for this club and a big asset for the city.’

Published: 24 Oct 2006