Why did you become a comedian?
I started doing stand up because someone asked me too. I was telling jokes in my student union bar to a group of mates and the ents. sec. asked me if I was interested in hosting the university comedy nights. I said "No". He said he'd give me £35 per week. I said "Brilliant ... I can give up my pub job!".
Favourite comedy venue?
The Cosmic. It's my agent's club! I've played it so often it feels like a second home. I also really like Jesters in Bristol and the Glee in Birmingham.
Favourite comedian (other than self)?
Nick Wilty at the moment. He says clever things with a thick voice.
First gig - what was it like?
My first gig went very well. I was the compere for Frank Skinner and Alan Parker (The Urban Warrior). I used up all the best jokes and poems that I'd thought of over the years and did fine. The second gig was a disaster - A fortnight later I hosted for Mark Thomas and Richard Morton with jokes I'd written over the last week... and died on my arse.
Biggest on-stage cock-up?
Being heckled to bits by an irish lady who I thought was Scottish. I started having a massive go at her for being scottish and then the thirty scottish steelworkers from the other side of the room started on me as well. Eventually everyone in the room was screaming at me... I did my time, though.
Imaginary best comedy line-up (i.e. famous people who are NOT comedians but should be)?
Richard Madeley, Michael Winner, Anna Ford. Show hosted by Martin Bell
What plans do you have for the future?
Stand up has been my life blood for years. I can't see that changing. I'm going to write something funny for someone else but I can't say any more at the moment. I'm thinking of starting a net-based comedy magazine as well - no pressure.
Why did the chicken cross the road?
To get to the other side - don't you know anything?
Anything else you'd liked to say?
Hitchin is a quaint market town nestling in the warm bosom of the A505,A602,A1 and M1. It is the undisputed jewel in North Hertfordshire's crown and is steeped in over 2000 years of history. Queen Elizabeth 1 drank our beer, Dick Turpin raided our nobleman, Cromwell murdered our cavaliers and stuck their heads on posts in the local church. David soul is a frequent visitor and the wonderful Peter Liley is our MP. You can see that with all this going for it, it is no surprise that the locals consider the great city of London to merely be a satellite town of our own.
