Entertainment

Russell Howard: I get nervous that it's going to be terrible

He may suffer from 'crippling low self-esteem' but Russell Howard is the hugely popular funny man of the moment, with a new TV show on the go and a busy tour in the offing – including dates in Belfast and Dublin. He spoke to Gemma Dunn

Russell Howard's Stand Up Central is on the Comedy Central channel on Wednesdays
Russell Howard's Stand Up Central is on the Comedy Central channel on Wednesdays Russell Howard's Stand Up Central is on the Comedy Central channel on Wednesdays

THERE'S a skill to writing great comedy – and Russell Howard has it down to a tee, thanks to a certain Hollywood director.

"Woody Allen does this really cool thing," the 36-year-old starts excitedly. "So when he's not working and he has a thought, he writes a note down and puts it away in a drawer. He then has another thought, and so on...

"When it comes to work, he just empties the drawer and goes, 'Ah that's cool' – and that's what I did this year."

Well, with the addition of modern technology; Howard takes his phone from his pocket and giggles as he scrolls through his notes, all taken during his recent tour of America. But the material wasn't for use in the US; it was in preparation for the second series of Russell Howard's Stand Up Central, which kicked off last month on Comedy Central.

Returning to the popular stand-up show a year on – the first run achieved viewing figures 159 per cent above the slot average for the channel – Howard has already impressed with his energetic gags, weird and wonderful audience questions and roster of well-known acts, including Jimmy Carr, Josie Long and Tommy Tiernan.

"I have a list of people who I would like to do it, and they all did this year," he says happily of the line-up. "Tommy is the one I wanted to get on; he's one of my favourite comics in the world."

But while he's quick to champion his counterparts' careers, Howard is reserved – almost dizzied, in fact – at the mere mention of his own roaring success.

"Like most stand-ups, you have constant feelings of inadequacy and, 'Oh that was rubbish'," he confides, adding that while it's lovely, being approached in the street by fans "freaks me out a bit".

Despite his self-criticism, he is a household name, known for his boy-next-door charm, family-led anecdotes and regular appearances on panel shows such as Mock The Week.

Also on his CV is the hit BBC Two show Russell Howard's Good News (often the most-viewed programme on iPlayer), a YouTube channel that's watched in over 180 countries, and a world tour due next year, which will see him visit 30 UK and 29 international cities, and headline the Royal Albert Hall for 10 consecutive nights. Oh, and he has more than five million followers on Facebook and Twitter combined.

Yet he still suffers from pre-stage nerves.

"I get really nervous that it's going to be terrible. Then as soon as I do it, it's fine, but the actual beforehand is awful," he explains.

Does he have any rituals to calm himself down?

"I've got loads – but I can't tell, because if I reveal my secrets..." he teases. "It's nothing creepy! I don't kill a goat; I just sit around and there are a few things I do."

Dressed in his uniform T-shirt and jeans – and sporting a toned physique – Howard is far more reserved than I'd imagined, almost verging on shy. His answers are thoughtful and pensive, but he opens up at the mention of his family.

Close to his mother Ninette, father Dave and younger siblings – twins Kerry, an actress known for her role in Him & Her, and Daniel, who works in IT – Howard reveals that he hosts a family briefing before unleashing any new material.

His mother – a former dinner lady – recently instructed him to take one bit out of a new routine. "It's the first time that's ever happened," he laughs.

There might be more to come, though: Howard and his mum are gearing up for a new Comedy Central show, which will see the pair travel to the United States to explore pursuits, including a summer camp for adults, a pensioner beauty pageant and cowboy college.

Howard lives in London's Camden with his long-term girlfriend. And although he doesn't do much looking back ("No one does, do they? It's always, 'What's next?'), he does seem proud of his work, reflecting on the last series of Good News, which hit the headlines for tackling topics including the junior doctors' strike and tampon tax.

But don't expect humble Howard to take the credit any time soon – or be checking up on his viral hits.

"I just do it and then leave it," he says, before trailing off.

"Like most stand-ups, I have a crippling, low self-esteem, so if there was seven million who liked it, I'd imagine that on the comments, there would be quite a few people who don't, and you're always drawn towards those," he admits.

He does, however, finish on a more positive note: "Look, it's really cool. I get to have an idea, do it, and then release it. But then it has to live on its own."

:: Russell Howard's Stand Up Central continues on Comedy Central on Wednesdays. He performs at Dublin's Vicar Street on February 22, 23 and 24 next year and in Belfast's SSE Arena on March 28 (ticketmaster.ie).