Watch: Comic’s hilarious routine about how Welsh flag was created

Comedian Drew Taylor knew he was on to a winner when his routine about the design of the Welsh flag was a big hit in his set.

However, it took on a life of its own when the comic from the Rhondda filmed the point in his routine where he imagines a conversation when the Welsh flag is first submitted for approval.

The routine, which comes at the end of Drew’s set, was actually filmed three years ago, but has taken on a life of its own online, where it invariably resurfaces much to the enjoyment of everyone who watches it.

This weekend is one of those moments, with the routine going viral on social media platforms Tik Tok and Twitter.

“I first started doing the Welsh flag routine about five years ago when fellow comic Steffan Evans decided to share an hour show, known as a “split hour” in comedy, at Cardiff comedy festival in 2016,” recalls Drew.

How the 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 flag was designed pic.twitter.com/KlgR09otcc

— Baker (@garethbakery) September 18, 2021

“We decided to call the show Tales from Wales as we’re both Welsh and it sounded catchy and it rhymed.

“(Fellow comic) Charlie Smith who was curating some of the comedy festival suggested we decorate the stage for the show and I decided to put a Welsh flag on the stage as a simple visual prop for the show.

“But then I thought, if I’m going to have arguably the best flag in the world on stage with me, I might as well write some material to go along with it.

Watch the full routine:

“So I came up with the idea of how Wales pitched the idea of the flag to a “flag commissioner” who signs off on any new flags from any new countries. Of course I decided to make it silly and fun and I think that has fed in to its popularity with live audiences and viewers online. Particularly with English audiences.

“I think the initial perception is that it’s going to be some overly patriotic statement but when the audience realises it’s a bit more of satirical silly take on the flags origin, they soon warm to it.”

The flag, in its present form, was only officially adopted in 1959, but of course has been around for centuries.

Nevertheless, you do wonder how that conversation in 1959 must have gone.

Who knows, maybe it went something like Drew’s hilarious skit.

Putting the flag to bed

“I still use it as part of my comedy club set today,” he says. “It’s a great bit to close my act on and any time I get to stand on a stage, particularly in England, and break out the Welsh flag, I’m going to do it. Who wouldn’t.

“But even the best jokes get stale after a while and I’m looking to put the flag to bed once I finish my new show “This is why we can’t have nice things”.

“That I’m debuting at Swansea Fringe at the Grand Theatre at 7pm on October 23rd then taking around the U.K. comedy festivals in the build up to Edinburgh 2022.”

Find out more about Drew HERE