6. What do your parents/children (delete as applicable) think of your job?
I think the kids probably feel that they compete with it for my attention. They cheered when I told them I was giving up TV Burp.
7. What’s the worst thing about being a comedian?
Well, I can’t stop looking for ‘The Joke’. There’s no ‘off’ button for that. I don’t have the need to perform like some comics but I never switch off as far as thinking of funny ideas goes.
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 any comic on any night can be brilliant. I think my greatest asset is persistence.
9. How much do you earn and how much would you like to earn?
I never went for money. When I took the gamble and gave up medicine I didn’t earn anything from comedy for a year. The money follows, hopefully. Any stuff I’ve done just for the money has usually been bad.
10. How important is luck in terms of career success – have you had lucky breaks?
I don’t think there's anything in ‘Lucky Breaks’. I remember Bruce Forsyth talking to me about lucky breaks - and that’s kind of a generational thing. Bruce didn’t need luck because he was just so good and worked so hard. Just sticking at it is all you need to do.
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 athird category?
Oh semi-tortured. I was watching a documentary about Eric Morecambe - his family were saying how as soon as one thing finished he’d start worrying about the next one and my wife turned to me and said ‘That’s you’. Bruce on the other hand told me “Go on holiday”. He’s right. I’ve got better at it as I’ve got older.
12. Who is your favourite person ever and why – not including family or friends or other comedians?
Probably John Lennon.
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).
No.
Buy tickets for the Lyric gig on June 12 here.
