Hi Chris and welcome to NE Magazine, for the few readers who must be living in a cave somewhere and don’t know who you are how about giving th em a quick l ow- down o n yourself? - Hello! Can’t help but think I’m writing your interview introduction for you here, oh well… I’m a stand-up comedian from South Shields and I’m also a bit of an actor now and then… but mainly a comedian… that might not come across as well as it should in print form, but I am. So there. At the moment it’s hard not seeing you on the TV when we switch it on as you’re everywhere, but what has been the highlight for you so far? - Not everywhere though am I? If you turn on QVC and I’m selling a frying pan, just assume you’ll find me floating face down in a river very soon. The highlight for me so far was probably being in Hebburn. Since starting comedy I always wanted to try my hand at being in a sitcom too so I was over the moon to do one with my mate and so close to my heart, and I got to work with Vic Reeves.
Have you had any weird fan requests or incidents? - Not really. The odd person will show up to a gig with my face on a T-Shirt, or bake me a cake, or send me a dead animal in the post but other than that it’s just photos and autographs. A little kid in Hebburn when we were filming asked me to sign his micro scooter… that was a bit weird.
Are there any venues on the tour that you are looking forward to playing or any you’re quite nervous about? - The Theatre Royal in Newcastle. I absolutely can’t wait. I used to watch panto there when I was a kid. I’m
As well as being a bit of a regular on Celebrity Juice, Never Mind the Buzzcocks and 8 out of 10 Cats you are now starring in the North East based sitcom Hebburn, how did that come about? - My mate and fellow comedian Jason Cook decided to write a sitcom about the town he was from, Hebburn, and he actually wrote me a little side part which he named after me. But when it came to being made the BBC asked me to read for the main character, and when I got it, Jason took the part that he’d written for me! It came about so gradually that I didn’t really realise the enormity of being lead role in a BBC2 sitcom until I saw the advert on TV. I nearly passed out.
I know had a bit of He a crazy him atyou Screen-Con. was anHow has the response for time withpleasure fans wanting pics absolute to talk to and heHebburn been so far? - Overwhelmingly positive. and autographs loved chatting withwhen all theyou fans. And we just won Best Drama were having a few drinks in a South Shields recently, Another special bar guest was Alanat the RTS North awards how arewho you finding Harris playedthis, thedoes Bountytoo. And we’ve got a second it put you off in going Hunter Bossk Starout? Wars. Alan wasseries! - Not all. Any person in that a bit at more elusive during the day position whoget hasa been on to TVcatchYou are now embarking on and I didn’t chance or whatever want up with him and untilpeople the end, but heyour biggest tour to date, photos (I’m he trying my best did tell me had really enjoyedhow do you feel about this? not to say and celebrity here!) Screen-Con said it was a better- Yeah incredible! It’s an who pretends they themoreextension of my last tour, atmosphere than thehate bigger Feeling Lucky. I did 60+ dates attention is conventions. a liar. You don’t well known in 2012 but the demand for go for a career on TV because you final don’tspecial want guest anyone The wastoLaurietickets was so high and people notice you. long asSaurin I’m notand aenjoyed the show so much Goode whoAsplayed eating or having a shitWars. whenLauriethat I’m doing another 40 Stormtrooper in Star you want photo it’s and no wasodd dates this year in much came withahis ownthen camera bigger venues. I can’t wait to problem at all…during I meant, snapping away the like day. get back out on the road. on the toilet, not just in the middle of the dancefloor. All of the special guests took the
23
23