How did you get into comedy and cabaret?
I used to work behind the bar at the Cavendish Arms in Stockwell, south-west London, which runs live shows. I still technically work there. Most people have walked through those doors at some point in their comedy career. My boss said to me: “You’re slightly funny, why don’t you give it a go?” So I did. I met a lot of people who were doing cabaret too and, because I used to be a dancer, I decided to incorporate cabaret into what I do.
Can you recall a gig so bad it’s now funny?
I did a gig in a basement somewhere and died on my arse. There were quite a lot of alternative acts on. One was dressed in a priest outfit and throughout his set he was rocking back and forth. I was thinking, why is he doing that? Then his trousers dropped down and his penis whipped out. No one wants to see that.
What is the best heckle you’ve heard?
I used to tell a joke about my name, because obviously no one has my name. I’ve been told throughout my life that my name means several things. One of my jokes is that I was told that my name means “faithful”, and I talk about religion afterwards. Someone in the audience shouted out: “Your name means pussy in my language!” I have no idea what I’m going to do with this information.
Who inspires you?
I grew up watching old school sitcoms like Last of the Summer Wine, and sketch series like The Fast Show. I didn’t really watch standup until Def Jam Comedy – and I watched it 10 years after it came out anyways. Comedians like Kevin Hart and Katt Williams were my favourites when I was 18. But nowadays, people who I gig with on the circuit are those who inspire me: Micky Overman, Helen Bauer, Kemah Bob and Josh Jones are amazing. Alison Spittle is a great storyteller. Those are the people I aspire to be as good as.
As well as a standup, you’re also an immigration lawyer
In my debut show, I did a whole chunk about working in immigration. But I don’t really go into it as much any more. I can’t talk about cases. When I started taking comedy seriously, I entered the BBC new comedy awards with the name that I was using at the time, which was Twix. Most of my comic friends still call me Twix. I realised I couldn’t go on the BBC and be called Twix, so I changed to my real name. Then I got into a panic. Are people going to Google me and find out that I’m a lawyer, and then I won’t be able to do my day job? I’m trying not to merge the worlds. I’m a different person on stage than I am in my day job.
Is balancing multiple jobs something you’ve always done?
I come from a working-class background, I don’t have money, I’ve worked in legal aid for the last 12 years and the job I do is mainly to help people who are genuinely in need to be in this country. If you ask any comedian, they’ll tell you I’m the hardest working act on the circuit because I have no money. And that’s because of how my life has been. The reason I work so hard and still balance multiple jobs is because of finances – and it’s not funny, it’s just a fact.
People hear lawyer and they think corporate law. But no, I work in immigration and legal aid. I do my job because people need help. There are certain people out there who will take people’s money and promise them the world. For me, that’s not what my job is. My job is to try to make people realise, these are the immigration rules, this is the immigration system. I can do my best to get you indefinite leave to remain and I’m very good at my job.
Any bugbears from the world of comedy?
Social media is a great promotion tool for comedy but it can be toxic, especially when you have internet trolls who are out there, hiding behind their keyboards. I don’t think people understand how much that can affect someone’s mental health. Especially when it’s something you have put your energy and passion into.
You host Comedy Virgins, the weekly open mic night in Stockwell where you got your start. Who are some of the new acts people should be looking out for?
There’s quite a few who I think will be the next generation of comedians doing their debut hours in the next couple years. Sarah Roberts, Shalaka Kurup, Jake O’Brien Murphy, Sharifa Butterfly and Carwyn Blayney are storming acts. And my very good friend Hannah Byczkowski who also MCs at Comedy Virgins, and was in The Traitors. She’s been going for a couple of years and is extremely funny.
