Daliso Chaponda interview

Daliso Chaponda has been working on the UK comedy circuit for a while now, but raised his profile after appearing on the last series of Britain's Got Talent. Off the back of that, he's now announced a 2018 tour.

Hi Daliso. For those that don't know you yet, could you give us a bit of your backstory. You grew up in Malawi?

I am Malawian but I grew up all over the place in true nomadic fashion (minus the camels). My father was a refugee (a totalitarian dictator was involved, long story) who became a diplomat. My early years were in Zambia, Somalia, Kenya and Swaziland. The first time I touched my motherland's soil I was 11.

When did you decide to become a stand-up comedian?

Blame Canada! Blame Canada! I was minding my own business doing a university degree in a sober, sensible subject and then I tried comedy at an open mic night.

Who knew it would go so well? It was like somebody who tries karaoke the first time deciding they now want to be the next Adele. One dose and I was an addict. I strapped the mic cord around my arm and I have been a laughterholic since.

What does your dad think about you being a comedian? Would he rather you had a more 'serious' job like he does?

Once upon a time there was a Diplomat who had a son who decided to become a comedian. The diplomat was horrified. He thought his son would end up begging. He tried to convince him to quit. Years later, the son started doing really well. The diplomat changed his mind. He told his son: "You made the right choice".

It'd be fair to say that appearing on Britain's Got Talent has given your comedy career a boost?

I'm doing a show for 400 people on Wednesday and on Sunday flying to Dubai for a run of shows. Last year, it was pub gig to 40 people on Monday, auditions I didn't get picked for on a Wednesday, and on Thursday and Friday and Saturday we chilled on Sunday... (old, old reference. Apologies)

Britain's Got Talent can be a tough show for comedians to appear on... how long did you think about it and the 'risks' involved before filling in the application form?

I actually thought there were no risks for me because I am a comedian. If I was a musician and I was terrible, that's just that. If I was horrible as a comedian, my next show would have been called How Bad was I on Britain's Got Talent?

Do people keep asking you what Simon Cowell is really like? Er, either way, what is Simon Cowell really like?

Alas, I barely spoke to him. He was encouraging and wished me luck and was extremely positive. I spoke more to Amanda Holden as she gave me the buzzer and a bit to David Walliams as he was also a comedian and we spoke about the circuit. Simon and Alesha I saw for mere moments.

So you're off on tour in 2018. What can people expect from your show?

It's long!! They saw me for 5 minute nuggets. This is a 90 minute show. I will probably do 70 and have a 20 minute opening act, but if theatres let me, I might go full Lord Of The Rings and do a 2 hour set.

I have amassed loads of jokes and I will do the best, but if you come on the right night, I will do all of them! I'll lock the doors and make you all laugh until somebody wees themselves.

We understand it's always a nervous moment when tickets first go on sale, 'will anyone come?'... but it seems to be shaping up well. You've already had to add more dates?

Yes. I added 20 because of sell outs and the angry tweets I get from some fans ("Please add more dates in Southend on Sea... come on man") indicate there have been even more.

And before you tweet me angrily, I have no power over it. Live Nation does the bookings. So book fast, book early, and if you can't get a ticket, don't tweet me. Unless that tweet comes with a photo of you in a clown costume, I always welcome those.

How many of the towns and cities have you been to before, and how many will be new to you?

I have been almost everywhere. I have done gigs in most English cities, but the difference is I will now be doing a show in each city's big theatre not their small pub.

Daliso Chaponda - What the African Said will tour from February to June 2018. Dates & Tickets