5 Minutes with…Rob Deering!

After appearances on The Weakest Link, Edinburgh and Beyond , 99 Things to Do Before You Die and he is currently on tour, Rob Deering is now one of live comedy’s most popular stars.

In this quick-fire interview Rob discusses Dragon’s Den pitches, fish and chip shops and his tour.

Photo courtesy of Avalon Publicity

It’s fair to say you’re a musical chap. Who would be in your ideal band?

Clones of me on all the instruments, Bjork and Beyonce on backing vocals

When was the last time you laughed ‘til you nearly peed?
At Arj ‘Flight Of The Conchords’ Barker in a boat in Bangkok.

We heard you once appeared in a Dear Deidre photo story in The Sun. Do tell…
It was for a dare. Well, it was for the TV series 99 Things To Do Before You Die. I appeared topless with my arms round Vic Reeves’ wife. I’ve lost a lot of weight since then.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?
Big gigs. Any gig in front of lots of people makes is the ultimate ego boost, and there’s nothing my ego likes more than being boosted.

…And the lowlight?
Underwear modeling. Miserable work anyway, and I was woefully miscast.

Have you ever heckled anyone/been heckled yourself?
I don’t think I’ve heckled, but I’ve certainly been heckled – the most hilarious moments have always come from intra-audience heckling. For example at one gig I was hosting the guy on stage – not me – took his clothes off. A man in the audience shouted ‘I want my money back’; a boy in the audience shouted ‘I want my innocence back’. Glorious.

What would you call your fish and chip shop? (‘Thank Cod its FryDay!’ is already taken…)
There’s one in South Wales called ‘A Fish Called Rhondda’. I don’t think I can top that, but I like the film reference… The Prawn Ultimatum? Goodbye Mr Chips? When Harry Met Saveloy?

If you could pitch anything in the Dragon’s Den what would it be?
I would try and sell them a better title; how would anyone ever know that the programme is going to be about inventions? Invention fans are missing out, while fantasy fans are being disappointed. Plus dragons live in lairs, for goodness sake. Think on.

You did rather well on The Weakest Link – you’re officially the smartest comedian. But what we want to know is…Anne Robinson – scary or strangely attractive?
Well, she wasn’t very scary because we kept making her laugh – we’re all experienced at dealing with hecklers after all. Strangely attractive? Nuh-uh. No. Nope. No thanks.

What can audiences expect from ‘Rob Deering’s Beat This’?
A proper pop quiz, with live music and sparkling banter from me and four top comedians; it’s like music QI.

What can audiences expect from ‘The Rob Deering Experience’?
Entry to a universe of Deering-based entertainment from me and my (one-man) band. Plus partial nudity.

Finish the sentence: ‘The best thing about being a stand-up is…’
The showbiz glory. There’s no business like show business – no business I know.

Rob Deering is currently on tour with his brand new show The Rob Deering Experience, which ends on December 7. For tickets see: www.robdeering.com