We get comfy on the sofa with the comedian and telly addict, 48, to find out what he tunes in to over Chrimbo.
Harry and Fabulous’ Danielle channel-hop
Venue Daylight Studio, Battersea, London
What’s the best Christmas show ever?
Morecambe & Wise. I love seeing celebrities making fools of themselves. They got people on who were properly famous, not like TV Burp. The best we got was Heather from EastEnders.
What do you look forward to watching on the box at Christmas?
EastEnders, Emmerdale and Corrie. I love to see what are they going to burn down next, or who will they bump off.
Corrie or EastEnders – which is best? Only one way to find out… (Sorry, we couldn’t resist.)
That’s difficult, they’re so different. Corrie’s quite a funny programme, quite sitcommy. EastEnders takes itself more seriously. It’s always killing people off, it’s so gloomy. Heather’s storyline was the grimmest, they made her life truly awful… [deadpans] EastEnders it is then.
Strictly or X Factor?
Harry in TV Burp mode
X Factor. There are lots of things I can knock about it, but it’s an entertainment show that’s done well. It’s more real. Strictly is so BBC; very middle-class and slightly old. I’m not interested in watching celebrities learn another skill.
Geordie Shore or TOWIE?
I’ve never watched Geordie Shore. Made In Chelsea or TOWIE would be a better question. If you ask me whether I prefer watching toffs or the Essex bunch making idiots of themselves – I’d say toffs. The Essex lot are more shallow, but stupid toffs are hilarious.
What’s your TV turn-on?
Stewart Lee’s Comedy Vehicle – it’s risky and he does a lot of stand-up. It’s got a “live” feel.
And your turn-off?
Big Brother. I can’t stand it. It’s like watching an Andy Warhol film – four hours of nothing.
What was the best new TV show this year?
That Fred West drama with Dominic West [Appropriate Adult]. He was incredibly convincing as the serial killer. It was grim but fascinating.
What are your plans for Christmas?
I’ll have my mum round. It’s my turn.
Do you miss doing TV Burp?
I miss it being on TV, but I’d had enough. We wanted to avoid it going stale. TOWIE and Made In Chelsea made it harder for us because they went for all the jokes we were doing. It’s impossible to ridicule a show that mocks itself.
How many hours of telly did you watch a day when you were researching TV Burp?
About 10. I felt my life ebbing away. But I can’t complain. What a great excuse for a grown man not to leave the sofa.
Are you and Simon Cowell really writing an X Factor musical together?
I put the proposal to him and he said: “Write the script and the lyrics and you’re on.” My composer friend Steve Brown is writing the lyrics. We touch on the bitchiness between the judges.
When you want to be incognito, do you swap your glasses for contacts?
No, I was bullied when I wore glasses at the age of eight, so now I keep them on. If kids see a role model in glasses, like me and Tinie Tempah, it makes specs cool!
- Harry Hill’s Cream Of TV Burp is out now on DVD. Tickets for his tour are available at Harryhilllive.com.
The damage
Bags of popcorn scoffed 5
Cups of tea drunk 4
Trademark sideways glances given Several
