George Lewis

Written by: Si Hawkins
Published: Friday 1st March 2019

Yes, on paper his name may suggest a 1970s football chairman - the sort of gruff Northern local-businessman-made-good who probably saved the club then fell out with Brian Clough at some point - and, yes, George Lewis is from Stockport. As far as we know, though, George has yet to take over Stockport County, but he has been turning up on telly a fair bit recently, in a show that's been getting rather a lot of attention; as indeed have previously hidden bits of him.

"In ITV2's The Stand-Up Sketch Show I was nude a lot more than I expected," the stand-up explains. "It felt like every time I turned up to set there was another reason that, according to the director, 'the shot would work so much better, cinematically' if I was naked. In Marlon Davis' sketch, I had to play a naked sex slave. My nana is going to see that."

But just think of all those other happy nanas. Lewis should be in the next episode of the Stand-Up Sketch Show too, which goes out on Monday night, and will be available on ITV Hub. And yes, whatever half of the internet may have said this week, you can still do a free catchup for the foreseeable future.

So what of Lewis' live plans this year?

"In 2019 I'm on tour, my own and supporting Russell Kane," he says, "and I'll try to remain clothed."

Shame. Interestingly, we seem to have missed out the previously ever-present 'favourite show, ever' question below - we probably forgot to send it - so we'll save it for next time. Safe to say, George probably has done some enjoyable shows. He didn't just leave it blank.

Now, on with the others.

First gig?

It was below a pub in London. There were 12 people there. 11 were comedians. 9 were terrible people. And I know at least four still have careers in comedy.

Worst gig?

I once did a charity gig and was on before a band. I wasn't introduced or explained and the old couple who were the only audience just stared at me for 20 long minutes. Afterwards they asked me what I did. I said 'comedy'. They said 'no, as a job'. I said 'yes, comedy'. That was the first time they laughed.

Tour supports can be tricky - do you do anything special to win those audiences over?

The key is to remember that they don't like you and they don't want you to be there. So, before I start, I like to identify the alpha male of the room and headbutt him to assert my authority. If the crowd is big, this can take a while. Often my 20 minutes passes with me just squinting at the audience.

Who's the most disagreeable person you've come across in the business?

Any of the comedians who take the opportunities that are rightfully mine.

Is there one routine/gag you loved, that audiences inexplicably didn't?

During Edinburgh I stuck with a bit I know is funny, but, to this date, an audience has never laughed at it. It's a 55-minute bit.

Any good travel tips, for gigging comics?

Hotels often only include a breakfast, so you've got to be clever. I always pop some fruit down my trousers on the way out. The staff are often so impressed when they notice my package, they insist I have dinner on the house.

The most memorable review, heckle or post-gig reaction?

In my first preview for Edinburgh last year, the audience were so blown away by the ground-breaking material, that they stayed silent out of respect.

How do you feel about where your career is at, right now?

I like where I am right now because everyone still likes me. Soon they won't because no one likes the guy at the top, who sold stories about all of his fellow comedians to ruin their careers and make room for himself.