You are best known to a lot of people through your appearances on The Chase, so who comes to your gigs, Chase fans or stand-up fans?
It is always such a variety pack, that leans to an older demographic. I'm a Chaser, I'm also a Radio 4 comedian with shows about cricket, history and general knowledge, occasional News Quiz guest, a twice series champion on boisterous Radio 5 sports panel show Fighting Talk. I've been a live club comedian for decades. And more recently, I have shown total ineptitude on Taskmaster. So while I accept the reality that there are a lot of Chase fans, I don't obsess about categorising the people kind enough to spend their hard earned wages on me.
Are you going to return to the Edinburgh Fringe?
Absolutely I will do Edinburgh again. As far as I’m concerned nothing changes. I have a show that I really love already, and it's full of surprises.
What is the next big thing in the quizzing world for you?
I am so knee deep in quiz, that every event feels like the next big thing. As well as Chases, national quiz tournaments, weekly quiz league matches, hosting quizzes, writing quizzes, being paid to compete against drunk students, I am also representing my nation at the European Quiz Championships in Sofia in November.
What else do you have planned?
I met up with Sky sports presenter Dave Clark, who has Parkinson’s, and he advised me to always have something in your diary that excites you. I'm getting married in December. I continue a national tour in 2020. I'm going back to New Zealand. And on my 50th birthday in 2020, I will be watching my favourite band , the Pet Shop Boys.
Are you hoping there will be a cure?
The only thing that’s important to me is that I’m in the best hands. My job is to do as I’m told. I’m not worrying about cures. I make sure I have rests during the day and do regular exercise. The reality is doing your best. And so far it seems to be working out.
Is is correct that you were hungover on the day of the British Quizzing final?
Yes, that was an interesting one. I’d had a nice dinner the previous night with friends. But I’m really glad I did that as well. Drinking, dining well. That’s how I want to live my life.
Paul Sinha is gigging around the country doing club gigs and also his new full-length how. For all dates click here.
