1. When did you think about comedy as a career and what were your first steps into it?
I was working in animal enrichment at Melbourne Zoo where I used to give keeper talks to the public. People found them funny and I moved on from there.
2. Best gigs you've been to?
Mogwai (Scottish post-rock band) at a festival in Australia in a huge arena that was very poorly attended. But the 400 of us there witnessed something extraordinary. I saw Kim Noble in Soho Theatre London – he is the greatest comic mind of them all. My other memorable gigs are dinner with my wife.
3. Fantasy wedding/birthday party band?
American duo Hall and Oates for sure.
4. The record you'd take to a desert island?
Maybe Bandwagonesque by Teenage Fanclub.
5. And the book?
The Outsiders by SE Hinton, famous for the quote 'Stay gold, Ponyboy'.
6. Top three films?
Network, Aliens and Moon.
7. Worst film you've seen?
The 2003 movie The Rage in Placid Lake.
8. Favourite authors?
SE Hinton, Kate Grenville and Tim Winton.
9. Sport you most enjoy and top team?
Australian rules football. Go the mighty Bombers (Kapunda Football Club).
10. Ideal holiday destination?
Marrakech, Bangkok, Hong Kong and NYC. I love crazy busy cities – I find them relaxing.
11. Pet hate?
I don't like pug dogs.
12. What's your favourite:
Dinner? Vietnamese Pho for every meal. Love it. Bad pho is the worst though.
Dessert? Not a sweet tooth. Maybe an after dinner lamb chop.
Drink? Pinot Noir or an ice cold basic beer.
13. Who is your best friend and how do you know each other?
Stuart Peevor – we are childhood idiots.
14. Is there a God?
Probably not. If there was he'd be on TV.
:: Award-winning comedian Sam Simmons brings his brand new show Not A People Person to the Belfast Comedy Festival on September 29 at The Black Box (belfastcomedyfestival.com) and the Galway Comedy Festival on October 29 (vodafonecomedycarnival.com).
