LIFESTYLE
WORKING LIFE
My greatest achievement was…what my career is now, doing what I do, writing
and performing, and the journey from where I started. My dad was a metal
collector, worked in the steelworks, and couldn’t read or write, while mum can’t
read or write English. So I think my biggest achievement is doing something that
traditionally our family really didn’t do.
My biggest regret is…none. I’m always positive, so I have no regrets. There
probably have been things I could have done better but if something doesn’t work
I learn from it and change it next time.
My business mantra is…fail to prepare, prepare to fail. I prepare every day –
you’ve got to prepare. It will take eight or even 12 months to get ready for a tour,
while I always have more than enough material ready for every show.
The alternative career I might have had was…probably working in a kiosk in a
supermarket, making announcements on the Tannoy. I’d have a trapped audience,
so I’d love it!
LIFE’S LOVES
A book I love is…I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by
Maya Angelou – that’s brilliant.
A film I love is…there are loads but recently a very good
one was Captain Fantastic. It’s about this guy whose wife
dies of cancer but he has six kids and they live out in the
wilderness. It’s such a feel good film.
A song I love is…All Night Long by Lionel Richie or any
of his classics, or maybe Nightshift by the Commodores –
that’s me, working every night!
A personality I love is…Ricky Gervais, Robin Williams
and Dave Allen - all great comedians.
A holiday destination I love is…Switzerland – we went
skiing there. It was fantastic.
Patrick with partner Lily
and their dog, Pablo.
PEOPLE IN LIFE
I most I like to spend time with…the Mrs – and Pablo!
Biggest influence on my career…probably two great
comedians, Dave Allen and Richard Pryor. Dave Allen
could talk about everything, while, like me, Richard
Pryor didn’t make up routines – he just talked about his
background, his real life. That’s my kind of comedy.
The person no longer with us who’d I’d most like to
spend another hour with is…Freddie Mercury – what a
character!
The people who make me laugh…ironically are just
everyday people. The people I meet walking the dog or
on a train. People are funniest when you don’t expect it.
I’ve sat on a bus listening to someone and deliberately
missed my stop because I wanted to hear the end of a story
because it's so funny.
The people who make me angry are…really bad drivers.
I’ve had a driving licence since I was 17 but never had a car
until we decided to get one about a year-and-a-half ago. I
was thinking it would make life easier but, if anything, it
has made me more stressed! Luckily, I don’t really do road
rage if someone cuts me up but the arrogance of some
drivers does get to me.
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