Morton's musical roots

Richard Morton didn't mean to become a comedian. 'I started off as a musician,' he says. 'We used to play in pubs, and I'd lark around on stage, not finishing the songs properly.

'It's also difficult to stand there in such an intimate venue ,, in a pub you're side by side with the audience ,, and pretend to be David Bowie. So I started chatting to the audience, and making them laugh ,, I'm a comedian by default, really!'

The stand-up veteran and TV star agrees it must have been in his blood, however. 'I used to spend a lot of time trying to make people laugh. Friends at school, mates down the pub...it was a natural thing.'

Newcastle-born Richard has made a success of making people laugh. He's been a stand-up comedian for 10 years, and has completed tours and live shows with the likes of Jack Dee, Jo Brand, Lily Savage and Lee Evans.

He's also a well-known TV face, having appeared on the Comedy Store Show, WowFabGroovy, Night Fever, Gag Tag and the Stand Up Show, and his radio credits include regular contributions to Radio 4's Loose Ends, The Locker Room and Just A Minute.

He's not too grand, yet, to enjoy the local stand up circuit. His appearance at Ealing's regular comedy slot, Ha Bloody Ha, is not his first. 'I last played there about 18 months ago, so there'll be lots of new material to try out,' he assures me. 'When these dates come up, I look in my diary to work out how much new stuff there ought to be! But seriously, I do write all the time.'

Richard has also been busy penning some new comic songs, for which he has become well known. He's eager for his act to retain its musical roots ,, after all, that's how he began.

His comedy beginnings also enjoyed a great reception at the Edinburgh Festival, but he won't be going this year. 'It's something I'll do every other year,' he says. 'I don't want them to get sick of me!'

Although the TV work continues ,, a new series of Bring Me The Head of Light Entertainment starts on August 16, and he's doing a new run of the Comedy Store for the Autumn ,, Richard prefers stand-up. 'It's the most fun,' he smiles.

Something he always makes a point of mentioning in his act is the fact that he's from Newcastle. 'I am a Geordie, though I've lived here for 20 years, more than half my life,' he says. 'I'm a walking example of the north-south divide!' That explains the lack of an accent, which he says he tries hard to cultivate when he goes back up north.

The songs and the Geordie angle are stalwarts, but for television in particular, Richard finds he has to tailor much of the rest of his material according to the programme he's appearing on. He's concerned that people who may not have seen him live don't judge him by the 'teatime comedy shows' he's done. 'They said I was too risque,' he grins. 'I had to tone it down for them. But then the Comedy Store told me to put more swearing in! It's a real dichotomy.'

Richard's latest venture has been a break into acting, though still with a lean towards comedy. He appeared in the BAFTA nominated series Our Friends in the North, and has made regualr appearances on Channel Four's Jack and Jeremy's Real Lives.

Being typecast by his appearance is one problem he's coming across with the acting. 'My hair went grey when I was 18,' he admits. 'It went grey before I started shaving! So now I get to play people about the same age as the old bloke in Steptoe and Son.'

Richard's next ambition is to have his own show and release a video, something his fans are eager for but something he feels will have to wait. 'If you look at the shelves in the video stores it's only really people like Billy Connolly who've got successful videos on the market,' he says, unassuming as ever. But what he's forgotten is that one critic has hailed him 'Newcastle's answer to Billy Connolly' ,, his success may not be as far removed from that of the Big Yin as he thinks.

Perhaps it's the travelling that keeps his feet on the ground. His travels have taken him to such exotic places as Norway, Hong Kong and, last Sunday, Edinburgh ,, for one day.'Six hours each way!' he groans. It's not all a bed of roses for a TV and stand-up star.

Richard Morton is appearing at Ha Bloody Ha, Ealing Studios, Ealing Green, on Friday August 25. The doors open at 7.30pm, and the show starts at 9pm. Tickets are £7 and £5, and booking a table is advisable. Call 020 8566 4067 to book.