Vince Atta blames health scare on 'being a typical lazy comedian'

Comedians have rushed to raise money for fellow stand-up Vince Atta after he suffered a heart attack.

Justin Moorhouse set up a GoFundMe page after learning that the musical comic had been taken ill this week.

Already the campaign has raised more than £1,000 - to cover the ‘sick pay’ that Atta, like every self-employed comedian, doesn’t have.

Atta, who turns 45 later this month, posted on social media yesterday: ‘Had a heart attack yesterday. A full on, bastard, heart attack and it was rotten. Still here though; have to take time off but not too long, comedians don't have pensions!’

He told Chortle: ‘I don’t live that badly, but I am a typical lazy-arsed, non-exercising, sedentary comedian. This, though, this came without warning. chest tight, couldn't sit right to breathe then blacked out; if it hadn't have been for my Claire I'd be dead no doubt.’

Atta blames stress for his heart attack, saying: "It’s a tough life so when other things come into play they build up quietly and before you know it... I'm 44 and far too young for this shit but there are so many acts like me living like indestructible pigs. Know yourself!’

Medics have ordered him to take six weeks of rest, and he thanked Moorhouse and Dave Johns and Lynn Chambers of Comedy Support Act, the benevolent for comics in need, for their offers of help.

He said: ‘What Justin, Davey, Lynn and the rest of the community are doing for me is beyond anything I could have expected and it makes me feel safe and part of a community. 

‘We're so often disparate or segregated by opinion, it's nice to know that people can come together like this..’

Writing on the fundraising page, Moorhouse told fellow comics the money would be so Atta ‘can have some time off to get better…  Let’s help a fellow clown, hey?’

Published: 9 May 2018