TGtS Meets...Chris Ramsey

Ahead of his performance at the Swindon Arts Centre on Thursday March 28th comedy star Chris Ramsey stopped by the TGtS office to talk celebrity crushes, hecklers and filming a pilot for his own TV show.

When did you first discover that you were funny?

I have no idea. But I always remember, especially as a kid, making people laugh and thinking ‘right, they laughed at that, I’ve won’. It was like getting a life point or something. I’d be on the bus to go and meet friends and I’d rehearse a story in my head to tell them and work out where the funny bits were… come to think of it, I must have been pretty annoying.

What or who inspired you to go into your line of work?

From an early age I’d have to say my Dad ultimately. He’s a funny guy and was always the life and sole of the party. Always doing impressions and telling jokes and stories. He first got me interested in stand-up when he sat me down in front of a Billy Connolly video. I was hooked after that. The idea of one man on a stage keeping the attention of hundreds of people really had me in awe… The perfect job for an attention seeker like me!

Who is the most famous person in your phonebook?

Probably the Emergency services, everyone knows them yeah? Oh, I’ll probably get in trouble for this but it’s 999. Don’t tell them I gave you the number though.

How do you like to spend your free time?

Answering questionnaires mainly. 

Tell us about your worst experience with hecklers…

People always heap a great deal of importance on hecklers in comedy, and don’t get me wrong, for some comedians a heckler is their worst nightmare. But I love them. If they shout something that’s relevant, and funny and in keeping with my act, everyone laughs and they have helped the night. If they shout something nasty, they get twice as bad back and make me look good. It’s win win really.

Do you have a favourite gig?

I have a few favourite venues, they chop and change depending on my mood, but at the moment I’d have to say The Stand in Newcastle… I mean, Swindon Arts Centre of course! Phew.

Who’s your celebrity crush and why?

I’ve never really had one to be fair. I was in love with Jet from Gladiators when I was a kid, but she never replied to my letters and she was very rude when she caught me going through her bins, so I vowed never to put my feelings on the line like that again… plus I cut my finger on a tin of beans.

What's the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Clear your internet history.

Tell us an interesting fact our readers might not already know about you.

There is a guy who is the spitting double of me who works in my local ASDA. I’m thinking of hiring him to stand in if I’m ever sick.

Aside from the tour, do you have any exciting projects or performances in the pipeline?

Yes. It’s going to be a busy year actually. I’m filming a pilot for my own TV show about social media, and I’m also filming the next series of Hebburn with Jason Cook and Vic Reeves (Among others). It’s going to get intense… might give that lad from ASDA a ring now actually…