Interview: Andi Osho - Celebrity Interviews and Profiles - Stylist Magazine

You previously worked in TV production and as an actress. How difficult was it to negotiate that jump to comedy and why did you decide to do it?

The hardest leap was from production to acting because that's the leap from having money and being able to eat to considering pot noodle a viable source of nutrition. Compared to that change, going from acting to comedy was a dream. Performing was something I always wanted to do and taking the leap meant that I could stop showing off in front of friends at parties and do it for a job.

How did you go about training for stand-up and is it really as daunting as it seems?

I don't know. How daunting does it seem? Stand up is like doing a sky dive. You have to just through yourself into it and the worst that can happen is that you die.

You've had phenomenal success over the past few years. What to you defines great comedy?

There's no definition for me. Just what makes an audience laugh - a lot. I love seeing people bent double with laughter, wiping tears away. The stronger the physical reaction from the crowd the better. I will not rest until my audiences are literally vomiting in the aisles. My publicity will read "Andi Osho, so funny she'll make you sick." The Guardian.

Are there any TV shows that inspired you in terms of comedy as you were growing up?

I grew up on a comedy diet of BlackAdder, Victoria Wood, Jasper Carrott, Lenny Henry, French and Saunders, Ben Elton and the like, the initial wave of 'alternative' comedy that made it onto the mainstream. I also loved watching the US stand ups like Jackie Mason, Eddie Murphy and Joan Rivers.

What other female live acts do you admire out there and why?

Sarah Millican because she's blazing a trail and effortlessly batting aside that v.dull perception of women in comedy not being any good. She's quality and a lovely lady too with an amazing work ethic. She makes Madonna look lazy.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to break into live comedy?

As Nike say, Just do it.

What's been your highlight to date in your career as a comedian?

Hopefully it hasn't happened yet! I'd hate to think this is as good as it gets. Having said that, playing to 15,000 at the O2 was pretty awesome. I probably hadn't played to that many people in total to date and there I was in my posh frock at the O2. Should have gone through the bins to find a old sandwich eaten by Sting to put on eBay, shouldn't I.

What's been your toughest gig to date - have you ever been booed?

Booed?! Not yet touch wood. In a way, I'd kind of enjoy that. That's the thing that you fear as a comic, having an audience hate you but dying on stage is never that bad. Course you don't want it happening all the time!

What's your secret to winning Celebrity Mastermind?

Blimey. It was like revising for an exam. To be fair it'd be a strange qualification. I can't see anyone going to Edinburgh Uni to read The Matrix trilogy, majoring in John Humphrys studies...

Is there anyone you'd like to work with or anywhere you'd like to appear going forward?

I'd love to work with Eddie Izzard. he's has the career I'd love to have and I already look good in a dress.

Tell us a joke

Two guys go bear hunting but one gets mauled horribly by a grizzly. His terrified friend calls for help. The paramedic on the phone tries to calm the guy down as he explains what's happened to his friend but the guy is hysterical, crying "He's not moving. He's dead!" The Paramedic says, "OK please sir. Calm down. You have to make sure he's dead"

The paramedic hears a gun shot and the man comes back on the phone and screams, "OK, now what?!"

Tags: women, comedy