Paul F Taylor

Written by: Si Hawkins
Published: Tuesday 15th August 2023

One random comedian, eight random questions; it's the ultimate test of funny person and fate. This week we beckon forth a man who many will recognise, although some might wonder where from. All will be revealed below.

First, we're talking about his latest Edinburgh Fringe show, Head in the Clouds, which is a lovely piece of work full of ingenious ideas, and a splendid way to end a Fringe-going day (it's on at 11.25pm). So how would he describe it?

"This show is the funniest stand-up I could think of framed within a visual exploration of the cluttered random thoughts of my mind," Taylor explains. That's achieved via one brilliantly effective visual flourish, early on, then the show "questions which thoughts really are important and which are not."

If your thoughts are still 'hang on, where've I seen him?' Paul is rather popular with ad directors, and was all over the TV recently, hanging out with Transformers boss Optimus Prime, among other things. So any weird moments off the back of those ad heroics?

"Funny you should ask," he says. "After striking up a close friendship travelling together, Optimus and I are going on some other holidays this year. Which is fun, until he wants to go sunbathing and he asks me to rub oil into his back - that takes ages!"

That's what friends are for. Paul F Taylor, your Random 8 await.

What was your career dream, as a kid?

To basically be Tom Hanks in BIG. A child in a man's body working in a toy shop.

Who's the most interesting person you've ever met?

My daughter. I love the way she sees things. She reacts with wonder to things that are very ordinary. I could watch her all day, and I often do when my wife is at work and there's no nursery.

Which TV show would you love to have been in (and which part)?

Flight Of The Conchords. Murray.

The weirdest job you've ever had?

I used to work on one of those rides which consists of a trampoline with a harness attached to bungee cords. It's basically a turbo-charged trampoline used for launching children into the air.

I used to pride myself on being so vigorous with my launch I would make my customers cry. I had queues around the block or parents wanting me to do exactly that with their offspring.

How do you feel about cats?

Confused. I have no idea how they're both so soft and so sharp all at the same time.

What's the best thing you've ever bought a ticket for?

A ticket to Comedy At The Kirk in Tooting, where I met my wife.

Your most memorable injury?

My granddad bought my older brother and I a swing that had two seats opposite each other like a seesaw. It was a steel monstrosity that had open metal parts above your head as you swung in it. I was terrified, I didn't like how high my brother was making the swing go and I got really scared so I told him to slow down or I'll put my finger in the metalwork mechanism of the swing.

He thought that was a ridiculous threat that I would never follow through on and he made the swing go even higher. So I followed through with my threat of self-mutilation and as promised I shoved my middle finger into the churning gears. A bit like I was giving the swing the bird.

The swing didn't take kindly to being sworn at like this and it decided to peel the skin around my middle finger like a banana. My dad fainted and I spent the rest of the day in A&E.

What's your favourite fact?

Flamingos' legs actually bend at the ankle, not the knee.