Billy connolly and my uncle Bob
Where and when was your first gig?
Purple Turtle Bar, Islington 1999
How did it go?
Brutal. No laughs. Although they seem to chuckle when I accidently fell off the stage and nearly broke my neck. I also was outside the venue at 6pm, I was shitting it
What's the best gig you've ever had?
My next one
And the worst?
My last one (although when I hear the name Norwich, I still shudder)
What's your ultimate ambition in comedy?
To gain a fanbase and for loads of people to be part of it. I simply then want to make those people happy for as long as I can
What's the worst thing you've ever regretted saying on stage?
Alright mate, we all know you have had a few beers. He came up to me later in the loos and told me 18 months ago he had a stroke, Awkward
What's the worst thing a critic has ever said about you?
Get a pitcher of beer instead
When did you first come to Edinburgh, and what did you do?
1999, So You Think You’re Funny semi-finals. Wow it was such a buzz and felt like this was IT.
What's been the biggest change since then?
More shows, Purple Cows, bigger paper cuts from flyers, a tendency for acts to be nastier rather than funnier
Is the Fringe still where stars can be spotted?
Not sure about that. I reckon it's like the premiership you know the top four at the beginning, you know the ones that are already hot. It takes some a year it takes others decades, think Wigan.
What's you favourite Edinburgh experience?
A 70 year old woman saying to me that she loved it. She said I was a proper belter. I love that lady, my demographic too
And your worst?
My first year in 2004. I was a broken man, I got one awful review, bugger all people came . I actually cried in public. If someone had told me I could go home I would have. I never felt a support network like I do now
Where's your favourite place to eat in Edinburgh?
La Lanterina, the best cabonara in the city and a Turkish owner who began his UK vist in Merthyr Tydfil, brilliant. Oh and Monster Mash although the sausages seem smaller, sign of the times.
And to drink?
I don't drink but I love a coffee, so Beanscene rocks my boat
Where do you go to escape the festival?
North Berwick . Billy Connolly once said walking near the ocean and your problems will seem inconsequential when you realise the vast world we have. And they have a mini golf course, 18 holes, unbelievable
What's your view of comedy awards like the if.comedy?
Bit weird, everyone grumbles, but everyone would love to be the winner. It’s like any prize, you can only have one winner but in my opinion every poor bastard doing a show up here is a winner. Did that sound too cheesy?
What one bit of advice would you give to someone visiting the festival?
See loads, don't do it tomorrow go see it today. Laugh your arse off at everything at the end stand and give that performer the biggest bloody cheer of their lives. That’s cheesy
Apart from your own, what other show would you recommend?
Jarred Christmas, Hero Show 19.10, Pleasance. Properly brilliant.
