And like the old stereotype, I overcame my shyness by making my friends laugh.

In 1987, I was in Edinburgh doing my first one-man show. I took part in a kickabout with some fellow comedians and tripped over my trousers and heard this cracking sound in my leg. A couple of days later I went into a coma and was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism.

I don't always vote in general elections, but I think I've always voted Labour.

I've never been disappointed by politicians. I've never invested that much in them in the first place.

If you stay in a house and you go to the bathroom and there is no toilet paper, you can always slide down the banisters. Don't tell me you haven't done it.

When I used to do the Edinburgh Festival, there was a bunch of guys selling fresh oysters and I'd eat ten daily - marvellous.

And like the old stereotype, I overcame my shyness by making my friends laugh.