Justin Moorhouse is a very funny bloke who makes something very hard look very easy. I met him backstage at a comedy event in Wales earlier this year and he made me laugh more times in the green room than a lot of acts make me laugh onstage. There isn't room to go into a big theory here, but like a lot of people from the north-west – Bishop, Manford, Kay – he has an eye for a funny detail and the gift of the gab. Or maybe I mean gift of the gag. But he also works at his craft, honing his act to squeeze every last smile out of it. If you know Moorhouse as Young Kenny from Phoenix Nights, now is a good time to get to know him as a stand-up. And although it is always better to see stand-up in the flesh (tour dates here) you can now enjoy Mooorhouse from the comfort of your lounge. His first-ever DVD, Live in Salford, is released today. Buy it here. 

1. What is the last thing you do before you go onstage (apart from
check your flies, check for spinach between teeth and check your
 knickers aren't sticking out of your skirt)?

 

 

Set my watch to vibrate for 2 minutes before my time is up, or for an hour if I’m doing a tour show. I always try and say my opening line out loud really badly  - so when I do it for real it’ll come out fresh like the first time I’ve ever said it

 

 

 

2. What irritates you?

 

 

 

Inconsideration. By others occasionally, but most often I’m appalled at my own lack of consideration – it’s something I’m always working on improving. I’m not terrible but you can never be complacent when it comes to manners.

 

 

 

3. What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done?

 

 

 

Reaching under my Grandma’s television to plug the Christmas lights in and as they were the old fashioned sort – I touched live and was thrown across the room.

 

 

There’s that, and stand up comedy.

 

 

 

4. What is the most stupid thing you have ever done?

 

 

 

Not working as hard or smart as I could for the first few years of doing comedy, I worked hard, but not hard or smart enough. This game is never only about talent, I know loads of talented comedians who flounder because they’re lazy. That said there aren’t that many hard working successful comedians who aren’t talented. You need both.

 

 

 

5. What has surprised you the most during your career in comedy?

That some audiences will accept mean spirited and lazy comedy.

 

Interview continues here.