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

My parents are devout Born-Again Christians in the Brethren faith so they have never seen me perform live. However, I think that they are proud of what I’ve achieved even if they don’t fully appreciate what it is I am doing. How can they not like comedy? Jesus was a comedian. The best. He was the original Billy Connolly. When Pontius Pilate asked Jesus if he was King of the Jews, Jesus reach out his hand and said ‘Pull my finger!’ Jews are funny. And he was king. In his day, Jesus was Too Much.

What’s the worst thing about being a comedian?

There are very few downsides of being a comedian however it is a lot of hard work and a huge sacrifice of time. It becomes all consuming. Especially when you are younger. It’s all you can think about. It has cost me all my relationships, friendships, my mental health and has spent all my money. Or that might have been the drugs. It’s been fun but overall it has cost me way Too Muc

I think you are very good at what you do (that’s why I’m asking these questions). What do you think of you?

It is a constant battle of insecurity. The pendulum of the narcissist. I’m weeping as I write this, flicking tears from my eyes as I worry about how this answer will be taken and how my fellow comedians will perceive me. The pain and stress from this will inevitably lead me to an early grave. But I am also totally awesome! Aren’t I? Guys? Hello? Guys? Was that too honest? Too Much?

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

Not Too Much and more

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

I am extremely lucky I am to be able to do comedy for a living. Since 1987 I’ve never had a proper day job. I often think that I’m so lucky to have somehow carved out a life for myself simply by making people laugh. That’s usually just before someone slaps me hard (see answer 5) I’ve been so incredibly lucky enough to have had a such long, tricky and fulfilling career making strangers laugh. I have had way Too Much luck and way Too Much fun.

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 third category?

I’m a tortured golfer.  Life is Too Much sometimes. The planet is messed up, society has devolved, mankind is hopeless, vegans are right, you can’t punch a facist, the left are self-righteous morons, everyone is a selfish prick, I’m a bleeding hypocrite. It’s all too much. Too much. But I’m just getting on with it. Is there any other option? 

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

Two of my favourite people were Bill and Agnes. They were a brilliant, inspiring 73 year old couple that ran a guest house associated with the Krater Comedy club at Komedia in Brighton about 20 years ago. All the comedians would stay with them when we performed there for the weekend. Agnes had spent the first 12 years of her life in a sanatorium and had survived tuberculosis. She now smoked 40 cigarettes a day and drink two or three bottles of wine before bed. Bill was a white haired and bearded old Santa Claus type figure with a glint in his eye and an impish sense of fun. He had fought in the Korean war and had lived a ‘been there and done that’ life. He drank whiskey. Bill and Agnes would wait up for us to come home after the gig and drink the comedians under the table. That is no mean feat if you know comedians. We all drank Too Much and then we laugh and laugh Too Much. Bill and Agnes are firm favourites in my life.

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).

I live with Marie Kondo so my life is in order (I don’t, it isn’t) but please don’t argue with your girlfriend. Life is too short. Now, clean your room! You can’t clean your room Too Much.

Phil Nichol’s new stand up show ‘Too Much’ will be at the Monkey Barrel 4 from 1st – 25th August at 9pm for tickets go to www.edfringe.com 

Picture: Steve Ullathorne

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