6. What do your parents think of your job?

My Mum is my biggest fan. We’re all artists in my family (Mum and Dad’s generation frustrated artists, my brother and my generation practising) so they understand the drive to create. 

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

It can be very lonely. I think if Ayn Rand had designed a job, it would be stand up comedian. You’re on your own, everything’s up to you and if you drop the ball for just a little while you’ll pay for it financially. It’s a little slice of libertarianism, for better and for 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?

Thanks for saying that Bruce. If you ask me what I think of myself as a comedian (just the on stage bit) I would tell you that I think I’m a wonderful exponent of the art, well worth watching and possessing a wonderful combination of humour, intellect and heart. 

If you ask me what I think of myself as a comedian (the whole shebang, performance, self-promotion, etc) I’d say that I’m alright.

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

Well I trained to be either a lawyer or an investment banker, so clearly money isn’t my main motivating factor. But having had periods of wealth and periods of penury, I can assure you that wealth is better if only for financial reasons. What do I earn and what would I like to? Let’s just say that I’m not VAT registered but I’d like to be.

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

It’s not important in terms of doing the job when you’re on stage, that’s practice and hard work. But in terms of making it big and answering people who say ‘You’re funny. Why aren’t you on the telly?’ it’s crucial.

I haven’t had many lucky breaks, but the maxim ‘you make your own luck’, although not 100% true, is at least 50% true. And as someone with confidence problems that unfortunately don’t come out as hubris and swagger, I’ve always struggled with promotion, proactivity and asking for things. So I don’t hold any grudges, although I do still hold out hope that that my comedy fairy godmother might appear soon.

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 used to play golf a lot more when I was young. Now I think about playing golf but my life is too disordered to find time. So perhaps I’m spiralling down the Alan Davies comedy taxonomy?

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

Wait, there are people other than comedians, family and friends? If you’re asking for someone I don’t know, I really love Patrick Stewart. As a utopian young lad, I loved Star Trek TNG, plus in recent years his willingness to take the piss out of himself is so funny and disarming (as himself in Extras, “By then it’s too late, I’ve seen everything” and as Avery Bullock in American Dad, “I’m going to party my nose clean off my face”). He just seems like such an amazing guy.

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).

Yes I do. Then I don’t. Then I do. Then I don’t. The process normally goes ‘Clean drawers’, ‘Take life path of least resistance’, ‘Get disgusted at myself’, ‘Clean drawers’

I just figured that’s how everyone was. I do hope I haven’t ruined your relationship.