It was the first of times, it was the worst of times. In this interview column edited by Si Hawkins we probe comedians' murky pasts. A new interview every Friday.
Eric Rushton
Friday 15th January 2021
Last year he won the Leicester Mercury Best-Comic competition, but why was Eric Rushton once riled by Anthony Joshua?
Esther Manito
Friday 8th January 2021
Now busy offstage with the No Nation podcast, Esther Manito takes us from crochet shows to Edinburgh's version of Dante's Inferno.
Paul Currie
Friday 18th December 2020
He's doing behind-closed-doors shows at the Mac, but Paul Currie still loves crowds, despite all the drunks and dramas.
Matt Green
Friday 11th December 2020
He's heading to an LA film fest with Hearts, but why did Matt Green need to swerve football at the Fringe?
Isma Almas
Friday 4th December 2020
Gigging from home for The Big Give, Isma Almas recalls one treat-fuelled but traumatic trek back from out west.
Toby Williams does First Film, Worst Film
Friday 27th November 2020
Star of screen, stage and next week's Short Com Festival, Toby Williams talks us through Wormhole Bumhole and his Holby City bunghole.
Josie Long
Friday 20th November 2020
With a 24-hour Nine Lessons show on the horizon, Josie Long recalls garden gigs, skier fear and the lure of The Cure.
Ed Gamble (First Task, Worst Task)
Friday 13th November 2020
It's a special First Gig Worst Gig interview, as Taskmaster podcaster and current champ Ed Gamble talks us through his first task, his worst task, and lots more besides.
Max & Ivan
Friday 6th November 2020
Making next year much better with a six-show retrospective, Max & Ivan talk us through their best and worst bits.
Heidi Regan
Friday 30th October 2020
She's blowing minds with movie finds, but what horrors did Heidi Regan overhear, in the loos at Barnard Castle?