6. What do your parents/children (delete as applicable) think of your job?

My parents are rather confused that their kid that they couldn’t get out of his bedroom to play with other kids now enjoys performing to large groups of people. They don’t understand how or why that happened. My sons just thinks it’s another job which it is. They realise it’s different because I work irregular hours. But they get it and when a club manager or promoter or comedian comes to the house, my oldest son Hunter (who is six) likes to tell them jokes because he wants them to book him. He writes pretty good jokes. Well, they always get laughs which is more than I can say.

7. What’s the worst thing about being a comedian?

Hearing comedians answer this question with: the travel. This is the best job in the world. I worked for years to be good enough to make it my full time job. Now that it is, you won’t hear me complain about one facet of it. Because it could be a lot worse.

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 am happy with where I am. But I never want to stop improving. That’s why I still do any gig I can. Open mics, cellars, schools, churches, you name it. As depicted in the film I took a very long time to get any good at this job.

9. How much do you earn and how much would you like to earn?

I earn enough to support my family and have a good life. Sometimes I work for obscene amounts of money. Sometimes I work for chicken wings. But I have a nice house and my family eats when they want to. I never strived for more than that. I just need to work extremely hard to maintain where I’m at because that in itself is a difficult thing to do.

10. How important is luck in terms of career success – have you had lucky breaks?

Luck is very important for comedians looking for big TV breaks or film careers. Comedians looking to make a solid living performing stand up don’t need luck. They need to work hard.

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?

I think I fall in to a third category of comedians who are sceptical of comics who make generalisations like that because they make good – if not funny – soundbites in interviews. The truth is that comedians are all different. But I will never play golf so I guess that makes me a self-harmer. Which I actually was as a teenager. And still have the scars. So maybe Alan Davies is right after all.

12. Who is your favourite person ever and why – not including family or friends or other comedians?

Hmm. What a good question. Shaun Ryder.

13. Do you keep your drawers tidy and if not why not? (please think long and hard about this question, it's to settle an argument with my girlfriend. The future of our relationship could depend on your response).

Was this question written for Michael McIntyre? Certain drawers yes. My pants and socks are organized perfectly. My expenses receipts less so. 

The Comedian’s Guide To Survival is released this Friday.

Pre-order the DVD here: 

Tour dates: www.jamesmullinger.com