'All comedians are unhappy'

Comedians are not naturally happy, Jack Dee has claimed, as he admits he is prone to bouts of depression.

He said most decent stand-ups agonise over their work, which means they find it hard to be upbeat.

"I don't think artists are predisposed to being particularly happy, and certainly not satisfied," he told Esquire magazine. "Most actors and comedians agonise over what they do.

"I can get very depressed. And, you know, comedy isn't there because we're happy either. I don't know any comedians who are happy inside...

"No, that's wrong. I consider myself quite a happy person, but I'm also absolutely turned inside-out with contradictions and conflict.

"I can be quite hard on myself and say, 'Look, I'm just another comic.' But I don't have a choice. I can't switch off the impulse that makes me need to perform. That's how I know I'm I comedian."

Published: 5 Mar 2002