Seven Questions With… Andy Hamilton
© Steve Ullathorne
Andy Hamilton is an award winning comedy writer and stand up comedian, perhaps best known for co-creating and writing Outnumbered, who has recently been working on satirical television shows such as Ballot Monkeys and the comedy film What We Did On Our Holiday with fellow writer Guy Jenkin. Now he is back on the road with a new stand up show: Change Management.
To learn more about this fascinating comedian and writer, I asked Andy these seven questions…
1) Which piece of your satirical writing are you most proud of?
That’s a difficult ask. A lot of what I’ve written I’ve now forgotten. But I’m very proud of Drop the Dead Donkey, Old Harry’s Game, and a TV film called 11 Men against 11. And there is quite a lot of craftily-hidden satire in Outnumbered.
2) What frustrates you most?
I find frustration very frustrating, so I try to avoid it. Sadly, however, I have to use the tube every day. So I tend to bypass frustration and go straight to rage.
3) Do you like to plan ahead?
Not really. As a freelance writer, my life is dictated by the decisions of others, so I go with the flow and see where I wash up.
4) When was the last time your job got you in trouble?
When a van-driver greeted me in the street as “Satan”. It caused a bit of a stir. I got away in the end.
5) Where would you go if you could go anywhere?
Antarctica. My boyhood hero was Captain Oates. No, I’m kidding. I’ll go anywhere there’s room service.
6) What were you most afraid of as a child?
Mr Rayner. A teacher who thought kids were percussion instruments. I’m probably safe from him now.
7) Can comedians say anything?
Yes, unless they’re mimes. And provided that what they say is funny and not just saying stuff.
ANDY HAMILTON IS CURRENTLY TOURING HIS NEW SHOW ‘CHANGE MANAGEMENT’