Musician and father-of-four Comedy student graduates after heart scare

Danny Mahon, 45, today graduated from our BA Comedy Writing and Performance programme, back to full health and hopeful for his future after being the first person in his family to attend University.

The musician, who never finished his studies at school, enrolled in Salford in September 2022 after nearly 20 years as a touring musician.

However, despite his eagerness to begin his higher education journey, he fell ill during the first few months of his course and was hospitalised with heart failure.

After a brief respite, he then had a heart attack months later on New Year’s Day and was urgently rushed to hospital.

He had suffered a left ventricle heart failure and was in a hospital bed for the whole of January 2023. 

Danny said: “It was quite scary at the time. I had a feeling that I didn’t think I was going to leave hospital when the attack happened.

“There’s a history of heart problems in my family but that hadn’t been immediately clear to me before I got sick. I definitely never thought that I would be able to study again.”

Danny was in cardiac rehabilitation for months as it took him a while to get back onto his feet. He had previously just got his taxi badge to help him work whilst undertaking his studies but his condition meant he was unable to drive or even return to the touring circuit as a musician.

After six months of recovery, he reached back out to the University and was able to resume his studies in September 2023.

He said: “I was determined to make the most of the opportunity the second time around. The initial few weeks in the previous September had given me an idea of what to expect and so I threw myself into it with less fear.

“As I was the oldest student in the group, it took me a while to feel comfortable with some of the aspects of the course. There was a lot of improvisation that I struggled with initially. But the more I did, the more confident I got and my grades really started to go up. I really wish I could have done another year of studying if I’m honest! 

“For so long I had been in charge of my own destiny, just focused on myself as a solo performer but then I was suddenly part of a group, working on stand-up, learning to make radio documentaries and short films, it was a big change.”

Ahead of graduating, he said that he’ll ‘probably cry my eyes out’ when walking across the stage to collect his Upper Second Class Honours degree.

“Coming to University as a mature student, as someone who made the decision to get a degree later in life, I think it will mean a lot to me.

“I never fully believed that someone like me could get a degree growing up so I’m honestly really proud of myself.

“I didn’t get that kind of inspiration around me as a kid so for my boys to see me graduate, it will feel like a massive achievement.”

As for his future, Danny returned to musical performances last year after getting the all-clear from his heart condition and is set to explore a burgeoning passion for radio and podcasting as part of his creative repertoire.

He will be able to put this passion to the test back at the University over the next year after he was named as one of the New Adelphi Theatre’s Supporting Artists for the 2026-27 academic year.