Kerry Howard interview

Kerry Howard is the star of Kerry, one of BBC Three's Comedy Feeds pilots currently screening on the iPlayer.

Hi Kerry. Your sketch show pilot has been online for a couple of weeks now, what's the feedback been like so far?

The feedback has been incredible. I have had people quoting my show at me, which I did not except at all. 'Rude to Sandra' has been a massive hit on Twitter - I might even set up a Twitter account just for that character, she is gathering quite a following.

The Radio Times article was a real shock, when I read I was 'pick of the bunch' I almost cried (with happiness, I don't have emotional issues!). Now, I'm not one to name drop, but Sir Jimmy Carr said he watched my show and he thought it was good. If comedy royalty think you're good then you must be doing something right. Wow! Everyone who has contacted me on Twitter has asked for more sketches, so hopefully this isn't the end for the Kerry show.

Have you always wanted to do a sketch show, or is it just the format that best fits what the BBC are looking for?

Ever since I did a comedy pilot called Girl Friday in 2009 for Objective Productions I have wanted my own show. I loved getting to play so many different characters in the space of one day; it was challenging but intoxicating at the same time. But it seem unrealistic after that didn't go to series. I lost faith in myself a bit and I didn't think I was strong enough to carry my own show, so I developed a couple of tasters of sketch shows with other people and they were good, but never went on to the next stage of getting commissioned.

'Kerry' looks like it was a lot of fun to film...

I love filming sketch shows, you never get bored and you have to think fast and go with your instincts. It's dangerous because it goes by so quickly that sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and suddenly have a great idea for a sketch we have already filmed. It makes you really focus on your work and I like that intensity, I care about my work. But I'm not a freak; I probably had the loudest laugh on set because I'm an attention seeker.

I was really lucky that the supporting cast were a great bunch, and the crew were really up for the show and laughed a lot. It helps me as a performer when I'm making people laugh.

My favourite character has to be Claire [the girl who throws tantrums, pictured], because deep down my biggest ambition is to become an action hero and getting to smash up a set is the closest I will ever get.

I loved Sandra too, every time I walked on set people just started laughing at me. Maybe it's because I walk like a broken giraffe in heels.

Claire's second meltdown - the interior designer one - we loved how the sulk slowly started to take over your face before exploding. Have you ever used your tantrum skills in real life?

I'm actually quite calm in working situations; I kind of just hit my mark and get on with it. I'm very repressed in my normal life, so when I'm at work and playing those sort of mental characters, it's very liberating and cathartic for me to upend a table or smash a vase on a wall and scream and shout as loud as I want to... Oh it was sheer heaven to play out that destruction on a perfect set!

What was it like transforming yourself into the sleazy businessman? It must have been weird looking in the mirror?

It was a three hour process, so I got used to looking like Phil in the first hour but by the end of the day I completely forgot I had it on. I bumped into (now I'm not one to name drop) Sir James Corden and starting having a good old gasbag at him and then realised he didn't know it was me until I said "it's me, Kerry"! He looked very disturbed but wished me luck on the pilot, which was nice.

The 'Kerry' pilot is sadly only 15 minutes long. We're presuming you'd like to make more if given the chance?

Hell's yeah! We filmed another sketch of the policewoman scene, where I got to do a lot of running and pounce on the back of a poor runner (another action hero moment) and we wanted to film a sketch called 'scrummy mummy crack whores' but it just wasn't ready in time.

I would have liked to have taken Slinker to the next level and have her slinking up the walls and along the ceiling, but alas we didn't have any budget for wires. Something maybe for the series.

We had so many sketches though, it was tough to whittle them down and pick the best for the show. It was a good predicament to have though.

Your brother [Russell Howard] also works in comedy. Is that a coincidence or is it linked to the way you were brought up, or your genes or something? That said, your twin brother Daniel doesn't work in comedy?

I know, it's bonkers that we are in similar fields, though there is a huge difference between what we do: I'm an actor and Russ is a stand-up, completely different skills. I think we both have great instincts for comedy; it's very natural to us.

We grew up watching the same comedy shows and our family loved to watch comedy so we would horse about and try and make each other laugh.

Russell and Daniel have always been the double act of our family, me turning out as an actress is still a bit of a shock. I was never the best at school and I certainly didn't wow people when I spoke, in fact I often had my dad in stitches because I couldn't pronounce certain words. I had no idea I was funny, until I started taking the mickey out of myself in sixth form. From then on I was addicted to making people laugh: you make 'em laugh and they like you!

I think my twin could have a huge career in comedy as he is one funny f****r, but he is happy working for my Dad. He has a great life and a pension!

On another topic: We're sad Him & Her is coming to an end. What can we expect?

I know, it is very sad that Him & Her is ending, but by god it is going out with a bang. We start filming this Monday and I cannot wait to get on the set.

Laura is getting married and her dress is epic, I can't really go into anything because I don't want to ruin it for the fans. I will say this though, Laura makes a perfect Bridezilla. It's bittersweet but bloody funny. My main aim is I want people to cry for Laura and then want to punch her, if I can incite that kind of emotion with the viewers, then I have done my job.

We look forward to that. Whilst one sitcom might be coming to an end for you, you're soon to be in a new one. Could you tell us a bit about Give Out Girls and your character Marilyn?

Yes, how lucky am I! I want to punch me right now!

Give Out Girls is a sitcom about a group of promo girls with a light dusting of guys as well (who are very funny). Marilyn is a yee old faithful promo girl that should have quit 10 years ago but was too lazy to upgrade her life. She's happy to plod along in this gap year life, she is a very positive person and is so far removed from Laura. Hopefully the public will root for her like Bridget Jones, she is very loveable and silly.

Thanks Kerry! We'll keep our fingers crossed you get the commission for your sketch show.

Watch 'Kerry' on the iPlayer