Dapper Laughs: Daniel O'Reilly interview

Comedian Daniel O'Reilly is best known for his comic alter-ego Dapper Laughs. The subject of a media storm late in 2014, he's now released his first stand-up DVD, The Res-Erection. We spoke to Daniel about Dapper, the furore around the character, and the new show.

Your new DVD is out now. What can people expect if they watch it? Is it just for existing fans or will new audiences be able to enjoy it too?

The DVD is for everyone. It's especially for people who haven't seen my comedy, people who have been sceptical of the comedy and people that have had a media-led opinion of the comedy. The comedy is quite immature and silly, and really focuses on how pathetic men are growing up and how dreadful we are with women.

They can also expect a lot of audience interaction. I spend the first half of the show being as spontaneous with the audience as possible and creating as much comedy off the cuff as possible. I love audience interaction and the audience are really rowdy, it's good fun!

Dapper Laughs was the subject of a media storm this time last year. Do you think the press had a point in any of their criticisms, or do you think they singled you out to try to destroy your career?

I upset the wrong journalists and they set out on a calculated mission to find anything they could to destroy the work I was doing. I never received any complaints from people watching my live stand-up, just journalists and people they targeted with their media. It was pathetic, and I was embarrassed about how easy the British public are to manipulate.

It's a blessing that I have such a large online following and I have the ability to work outside mainstream media support. This year I've learnt to work a lot better with them, so fingers crossed they will give me a break.

When you were filming On The Pull, did you foresee the furore coming?

Not at all, it was fun. The response to the show while it was on air was amazing, phenomenal in fact. Again, it was just once the media sunk their teeth into it and the petition started that it was a problem.

Did you feel that your clips and quotes were being edited and taken out of context?

100%.

If you could go back in time, would you still have made the TV show or dodged that opportunity entirely and just stayed online?

I wouldn't change any part of it. It's been an interesting yet hard experience, but doing the TV was a dream come true. I wouldn't let these people ruin how I feel about it.

You've been keen to stress Dapper Laughs is a character distinct from yourself, but all character creations are based on certain truths. What percentage overlap would you say there is between Daniel and Dapper?

I think it's fair to say Dapper is an exaggerated version of myself when I was a teenager. Some of the experiences I talk about in the stand-up stem from my own life, but with the vines and stuff it really does need to be exaggerated for comedy effect and shock humour.

You joke in The Res-Erection about feeling one thing during your infamous Newsnight interview, and saying another. Was that the case? Did you feel that pressured by the situation?

100%. I only did the interview to stop the media hounding my family so we could deal with my father's cancer. I was advised that was the biggest platform to quit on. I was at an all time low after they got my tour and TV show cancelled. It was disgusting.

You said during that interview you were killing off Dapper: did you always intend to revive him?

No, my father advised me to once his cancer went into remission. He was sad that I had been forced to quit. That, added to the petitions from my fans, drove me to continue.

Despite the criticism, Dapper Laughs and his very sex-centric comedy clearly has both a strong appeal and a loyal audience. Do you think you've connected with people that the rest of the comedy industry fails to reach?

I believe so. There is a absence of working class, lad-style humour that does appeal to women as well. People like to laugh at things they talk about with their friends. I feel that a good 70% of my audience at live shows are not stand-up comedy fans - they don't normally go to comedy gigs. They are there because they like my brand of comedy and that's why I do the shows standing up. So it's a different vibe, a party atmosphere where they feel they can get involved...

In the DVD's introduction sketch, Daniel warns Dapper not to be quite so abrasive in his new life: are you intending to stick to that? Are you a little more cautious about your material now?

With the online content yes, as I do feel a responsibility to younger fans and the message I put out, but no, not in my live stand-up.

What's next for Dapper Laughs?

More tours and the MOVIE DEAL I've just signed for 2016!

What can you tell us about the movie?

I can't reveal much at the moment, but it's called Fanged Up; a British horror-based comedy with vampires!

In the following exclusive clip from The Res-Erection, Dapper talks about going on first dates.

Dapper Laughs Live - The Res-Erection is available now on DVD

Dapper Laughs Live - The Res-Erection

Dapper Laughs is back! Britain's most popular internet comedy sensation is back and causing more trouble than ever.

Despite continued vilification by the media, his profile and fan-base have continued to grow and now he's back, nothing is going to bring this star down! Dapper Laughs Live: The Res-Erection is the sold out, stand-up live show and the official come-back event!

Join Dapper Laughs as he sets the record straight and delivers exceptional love advice, sharing his own success stories (and dating disasters!), all while revealing hilarious insights into the important pillars that keep him standing - life, love and family.

Special features:
YES/NO game
Dapper's People

First released: Monday 16th November 2015

DVD

• Buy at Amazon
• Add to Wishlist

• Distributor: Platform Entertainment
• Region: 2
• Discs: 1
• Catalogue: ABD1257

Buy and sell old and new items
Search for this product on eBay

BCG may earn commission on sales generated through the links above.