Lou Conran
Published: Tuesday 9th February 2021
One random comedian, eight random questions; it's the ultimate test of funny person and fate. This week we raise a glass to the corking Lou Conran, or the uncorking Lou Conran, rather: the popular comic has a tipple-tastic new venture.
"Spit or Swallow is the podcast I co-host with the brilliant Sally-Anne Hayward," says Lou. "We get our guest to chose a drinkiepoo, which we then buy and try over Zoom with the guest. And we get to decide if we like it or not; whether it's a spit or a swallow (I mean, it's basically always a swallow.)"
One swallow does not a summer make, as the old saying goes, but it certainly kills some time at the moment. So what are her favourite bits?
"We've had some amazing guests so far and we've been told many secrets which we've had to edit out, but that's what I love. Christopher Biggins had so many stories about his Hollywood chums it was like listening to a film script read. What a life he has had! We love doing it."
You can't beat a Biggins beginning, but there's also Sarah Millican, Nick Helm, Ayesha Hazarika... lovely bubbly.
Lou Conran, your Random 8 await.
Who was your childhood hero?
I was obsessed with Wonder Woman, I used to try and dress up as her when I could, and could often be seen with tennis balls in my Wonder Woman swimming costume to make me the woman I so desperately wanted to be.
What's the best thing you ever drank?
Um, now then, I think it was the sly Cinzano and Lemonade that I used to sneak when my parents were out when I was a teenager. My dad would draw a line on the bottle which I'd wipe off and re mark.
Who are you most envious of?
Everyone that lives in a country where there's no Covid.
Do you have a good hangover cure?
I love a bowl of beefy Super Noodles with chilli. But if I haven't got any then either a Bloody Mary, or a cold bottle of Coke.
Which British town should be abolished?
Stevenage. (Sorry to my family)
Is there a book or film that changed your life?
The BFG, Roald Dahl. The imagery and the idea that a giant could change your dreams was so magical to me (probably why I love tall men.) Oh no, actually Harry Potter... it got me reading again as an adult (probably why I love tall wizards).
What's the most regrettable thing you've ever bought?
Everything I've bought in lockdown whilst pissed. From a Ouija Board to a star-shaped rose gold handy handbag screwdriver tool, that was advertised as "pretty enough to hang on your Christmas tree," which I did. I hung a screwdriver on my tree. Why? Why did I do that...?
Which underrated talent deserves more attention?
Probably the podcast Spit or Swallow - it's like drinking with your best mates while revealing celebrity secrets. I mean, it's really good.
Spit or Swallow is available on iTunes and at your favourite podcast places.
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