It always seemed to be a constant that my parents were political.

I did six series for the BBC and that was enough. I've been writing for ten years, which is more challenging artistically.

I always thought communism was crap, really.

As a comic, you try something and if it works you go with it and grind it to death.

My name is Alexei Yuri Gagarin Siege of Stalingrad Glorious Five Year Plan Sputnik Tractor Moscow Dynamo Back Four Balowski. Me Dad was a bit of a Communist, know what I mean?

There's a part of me that still hates everything, and my natural view default setting is still very cynical and dark

I've been going to Granada for many years and 12 years ago bought a house a few miles outside the city.