Burnley reverend blessing people with belly-laughs

A Burnley reverend is set to take the nation by storm as part of an ecclesiastical comedy duo that will feature on the ITV2 show '˜The Xtra Factor Live', which follows '˜The X Factor' every week.
By The Newsroom
Published 26th Oct 2016, 12:47 BST
Updated 26th Oct 2016, 16:10 BST

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Jack and Krac in their Honey G rap videoJack and Krac in their Honey G rap video
Jack and Krac in their Honey G rap video

Reverend Alex Frost, of St Matthew With Holy Trinity Habergham Eaves Church on Harriet Street in Burnley, and Reverend Chris Krawiec, of St Bartholomew’s Church in Great Harwood, together make up 'Jack and Krac', and follow in a long line of comedic vicars and priests including famous names from the likes of Dad's Army and Father Ted.

The two Lancashire vicars are aiming to break the mould and may be on their way to making a mark on the national stage, having got together just over a year ago and regularly uploaded comedy skits and routines to their much-vaunted YouTube channel.Now ready to be catapulted into the limelight on ‘The Xtra Factor Live’, the rib-tickling pair are to have one of their clips shown on national television – a witty tribute to rap contestant Honey G.

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"We got a call from the programme to say their social media expert had spotted our video and they wanted to feature it as part of their round up of the best social media postings related to The X Factor," said Alex, 47, (also, knows as Jack). "It’s a live programme so anything could happen, but at present the intention is for the clip to be shown on the edition airing this Sunday, October 30th on ITV2, beginning at 9pm."

The retreat on which the comedic ecclesiastic pair met.The retreat on which the comedic ecclesiastic pair met.
The retreat on which the comedic ecclesiastic pair met.

The pair met prior to their ordination, whilst on retreat at the picturesque Whalley Abbey in the Ribble Valley on the Church of England in Lancashire’s retreat and Conference Centre.

Alex has experience of performing comedy when he was younger as a semi-professional comedian, appearing in clubs and pubs across the North West. Then 10 years ago he was baptised, became a practicing Christian, and began his journey towards becoming a vicar, thinking his comedy days were behind him.

Then he met Chris, 30, who has always been a comedy fan and cites David Mitchell and Dara O’Briain as just two of his many influences. "I had done some comedy work at college events in Durham while training for ordination," said Chris. "Then Alex and I met, clicked, and decided to explore whether two vicars can make people laugh in a way that shows people that laughter is a huge part of what it means to be a Christian.

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“Too often people think being a Christian is a serious business all the time, but joy is such an important element of the Christian life.”

The retreat on which the comedic ecclesiastic pair met.The retreat on which the comedic ecclesiastic pair met.
The retreat on which the comedic ecclesiastic pair met.

“People who don’t experience church on a regular basis and what it means to be a Christian may have negative preconceptions," added Alex. "We hope our comedy, which we now see as part of our ministry, may help to break down barriers and dispel preconceptions.”

The duo’s Honey G rap has been viewed more than 7,000 times on Facebook and YouTube to date and they have another nine videos on their YouTube channel to enjoy, and can be found on Twitter and Facebook.

Related topics:BurnleyPeopleLancashireYouTube