6. What do your parents/children (delete as applicable) think of your job?
My parents were always very supportive, so irritatingly that’s one thing I can’t hold against my father. I’m slightly worried about my mum seeing this year’s show, because it’s about my dead dad, and he’s also her dead husband. So the night she’s in I might just pretend it’s about a different man who looks similar.
7. What’s the worst thing about being a comedian?
Putting together blurbs and press releases. And accidentally telling hairdressers you’re a comedian instead of using the normal go to of ‘I’m a writer’ and then being told awful, sort of misogynist jokes and being cajoled into telling a joke while a man waves scissors near your ear.
8. I think you are very good at what you do (that’s why I’m asking these questions). What do you think of you?
I think I’m about 52% there, but I like the 52% I’ve got.
9. How much do you earn and how much would you like to earn?
£n and 3(£n).
10. How important is luck in terms of career success – have you had lucky breaks?
Yeah. It’s easy to see the little lucky breaks in my career - doing the BBC New Comedy Awards when Ed Morrish happened to be producing it, leading to my BBC7 series Spats; the script for Bull (the sitcom I’m co-writing with Gareth Gwynn) landing on Matt Lucas’s desk one day; not being hit in the face by a firework - but the massive, incredibly unfair bit of luck is having parents able and keen to support me in the pursuit of this ridiculous career. Without that safety net, getting ahead in the arts would be so much more difficult. It’s not fair at all, so I’ve set up a standing order to Arts Emergency out of guilt. And now I feel guilty for telling people.
11. Alan Davies has said that comedians fall into two categories - golfers and self-harmers. The former just get on with life, the latter are tortured artists. Which are you – or do you think you fit into a third category?
Self-harmer I guess, though I’m probably better when I’m enjoying life.
12. Who is your favourite person ever and why - not including family or friends or other comedians?
My answer would probably be totally different depending when you asked me, but I’m going to say Janelle Monae. She’s great. Well done her. And mentioning her and not e.g. a white man helps me present a pretty classy image of myself, which I’ve just spoiled. It’s mean you not letting me mention friends though.
