Comedy: Holly Walsh

Ready for her Edinburgh preview show, Holly Walsh talks to Victoria Nangle about smashing the BBC’s patriarchy, a good woolly jumper and The Sopranos

First off, I have to say how much I’m enjoying the impact you have on BBC Radio 4. It feels like you’re giving the patriarchal establishment a fresh perspective. Are you enjoying it?
Ha! Well, I’m not sure that I’m smashing the system (though I must say, the BBC radio department is pretty good at promoting funny lady people), but getting on Radio 4 shows has been very useful in persuading my parents that I have a proper job. I did Just A Minute for the first time recently and it was – genuinely – one of the highlights of my entire life. If you had told me, aged 11, that one day I’d be sitting between Paul Merton and Nicholas Parsons, it would have blown my mind. While all my friends were obsessed with the Top 40, I used to make mix-tapes of “the best of JAM”.

Thank you for coming back to the seaside after your accident at the International Worthing Birdman contest. Would you ever be likely to attempt any such incredible stunt-style adventure again?
I would say that after jumping off a 30ft pier and smashing my arm to bits, I’ve sort of lost my nerve a bit when it comes to hair-raising stunts. That said, if I could get a really good Edinburgh Show out of doing another one, I would definitely consider it.

The new show you’re previewing is called Never Had It. Surely ‘geek chic’ has allowed for those who never had a bit of ‘it’ to get some kudos at the other end of the scale?
I’m not sure how much I buy into the whole “geek chic”. There’s a pretty fine line between “geek chic” and “hipster” nowadays, right? Most of the guys I see walking around London and Brighton look like they went to Urban Outfitters* to buy their cagoule. I go to Millets for my pac-a-macs. I am the real deal.

*I actually own an Urban Outfitters jumper. But I bought it because it’s really warm.

In writing your show, what’s the most bizarre thing you’ve discovered – either about yourself or as a factoid (I never thought I’d ever use that word – apologies)?
I had to go through lots of very embarrassing photos from when I was a teenager. I think the main thing I learnt about myself was that I should have spent more time trying to floss around my train-tracks.

If you could choose to talk for a minute, without hesitation, deviation or repetition, on any topic you wanted – rather than being given one by Just A Minute – what would it be?
Probably The Sopranos. We TV-binged the entire box set in three months. It’s all I want to talk about at the moment. The trouble is, most people haven’t seen it for years, so trying to discuss the intricate details of various sub-plots is pointless. Man, I wish it was 2009.

What are your ambitions for the rest of the year?
Just to keep it real.

Holly Walsh and Josh Howie Edinburgh Previews, Caroline Of Brunswick, Wednesday 23 July, 7.45pm, £6.50/5.50.

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