Putting his Foot in it

3:35pm Wednesday 1st October 2008

A new fortnightly comedy club begins at Fairfield Halls this month, with eccentric British comedian Paul Foot - a finalist on US TV’s Last Comic Standing this year - opening it with a bang. GRAHAM MOODY talks to him about his success, setting a world record and Barry Manilow.

GM: Your character is a stereotypical English gentleman, where did the inspiration for that come from?

"I did set a world record for the most amount of stand up comedy shows done by one man in a day - 24."

Paul Foot

PF: That’s just what I’m like, it’s my personality with clothes on.

GM: Why do you think you have succeeded in America?

PF: The Americans like me because I am very English, I tell jokes and they like my accent. They also like it when I combine it with humour.

GM: How did Last Comic Standing come about?

PF: The invited me to audition for it in Miami and I agreed because I really like flying and I got through to the semi-finals in Las Vegas and the final in Los Angeles. There were 35 comics on the jumbo to Miami and we were all standing at the back by the toilets drinking cava, we entertained each other by being stupid.

GM: Did you do the Edinburgh Festival this year?

PF: Not for the full run as I had to film Last Comic Standing, but I did set a world record for the most amount of stand up comedy shows done by one man in a day - 24. Edinburgh’s great fun, it’s like a big comedian party.

GM: How did you get into comedy?

PF: I was doing a Maths degree at Oxford University and thought I might become an accountant but then decided it might be more interesting to go into show business. I decided it on a whim.

GM: Who is your idol?

PF: Tommy Cooper is my favourite comedian but my idol is Bella Fitzgerald, she’s a really good singer.

GM: If your house was burning down what two things would you save?

PF: A fire extinguisher and timber.

GM: What part of your body would you insure?

PF: My belly button because that’s the bit that all the other bits of my body radiate from, it holds them together.

GM: Whose sex face would you least like to see?

PF: Barry Manilow, it would just be totally inappropriate.

Croydon Comedy Club featuring Paul Foot, Howard Smith, Brendan Naughton and Sion James, Fairfield Halls, Park Lane, October 10, 8.30pm, £9. Call 020 8688 9291 or visit croydoncomedy.com.