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 When Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights became a
massive success, not only did it propel the burly Boltoner to
superstardom, but it also gave a leg-up to the careers of his co-stars
Dave Spikey, Patrick McGuiness and 2000 City Life Comedian of the Year,
Justin Moorhouse. Currently preparing to hit Wigan as part of his
‘Difficult Second Tour’, not even a bout of food poisoning during a
holiday in Spain could keep the affable Mr. Moorhouse away from an
interview. Justin called The LINC from half way across Europe to tell us
about his early days, this future, and of course, the show that gave him
his big break.
At the age of 29, you’ve said that you wanted to do something creative,
but could neither paint nor play for Man Utd. What was it that made you
want to take up comedy?
I don’t know really. I was watching a programme about stand-up comedians
and it just sort of came to me. I’d never considered it before, I didn’t
know how you did it or how you got started, so I made some enquiries and
booked myself at an open mic night. Before you knew it, I had to do it.
How did the early shows go?
The first show I did was really good. Genuinely one of the best ones
I’ve ever done because I was a bit beer-fuelled, which doesn’t happen
anymore, I don’t drink before I do a gig. Then the second gig was
rubbish, the third was a bit better and before I knew it I’d done ten or
fifteen gigs and I thought ‘How do you stop? You can’t stop doing this’.
How long after that was it before you started getting noticed?
I did my first gig in the summer of ’99 and then in 2000 I won the City
Life Comedian of the Year Award in October 2000 so it all went from
there really. Quite quickly!
You’ve said that when you first started doing your stand-up you were
also working for your local council. Did that provide you with much
material for your shows?
I was working in the housing repair team, but I was only there for a few
weeks, so it didn’t really give me much material, no.
You met Peter Kay on the comedy circuit. Did you become friends straight
away, or was that something that developed whilst making Phoenix Nights?
I think everyone will say that Peter’s a really nice guy, and the comedy
circuit is really supportive anyway, so everyone’s quite helpful and
pally anyway. When I met him he was about to become big-time, and I
think I met him at the right time
During the making of Phoenix Nights, did you all know that the show
would go on to become the success it eventually was?
There was an idea at the time that it may have been. None of us were
actors or anything, we were all just stand-ups and it was more the buzz
of being around cameras than anything else. I couldn’t believe there was
an actual clapperboard!
Was it difficult for you to make that transition between doing stand-up
and acting?
Not really. I mean, none of us were really actors, it was just a case of
‘right, say this like this… OK, that’s fine.” I don’t wanna make it
sound like I’m Laurence Olivier!
Does it bug you that people still recognise you more for that show than
anything you’ve done since?
Not at all, that show gave me the chances that I’ve had. If it weren’t
for that I wouldn’t have a show on the radio or be doing my own tours or
anything. Who knows where I would’ve ended up, I could’ve ended up back
working a normal job by now, but Phoenix Nights gave me a boost and it’s
a thing that I’ll be forever grateful for.
Since then, you’ve done a whole host of stuff, from serious acting,
presenting a radio show, panto and writing. Which do you enjoy the most?
Well stand-ups the first one, because that’s what I am, a stand-up
comedian. If God came down and took everything off me but said ‘you can
still be a stand-up’, I’d be happy. That’s the thing I enjoy the most
because it’s immediate and it’s fun and it’s live.
I do enjoy everything though. What I like the most about my job is the
variety and getting to do lots of different things. Every day I wake up
and it’s a different day. I’ve never regretted it since I started
because I’ve had chances to do all sorts of different things.
Is there anything that you haven’t yet done but that you’d like to do in
the future?
I’d like to write my own things. I’d like to write a sitcom. It’s not a
case of it has to happen now, but in the future I’d love to create
something like Phoenix Nights.
And what’s next for you? What’s in the pipeline after this current tour?
Yep. I’m doing panto again at the Manchester Opera House. With Surrane
Jones and John Savident who plays Fred Elliot in Corrie, so that’s going
to be quite big. Then next year I want to do some more writing and just
carry on with the shows.
What’s the most rewarding thing about going out on tour and doing stand
up?
It’s the immediacy of it, the reactions and doing the shows and all
that. And also, my best mate he comes out and sells the T-shirts and
stage manager is a mate of mine. So it’s my mates and it’s a good laugh
and we get to go and have a good time.
A lot of comedians say that people expect them to be funny the whole
time, does that happen with you?
I do a bit, but my family and friends have worked out that that’s not
the case. Sometimes you do feel a bit under pressure, at parties and
that. I tell you what’s worse though: people’s mums. You go round your
mates, and their mum’s like ‘Oh, I bet you’re gonna use this in your
material’ and your like ‘no, I’m not interested in your shopping!’
I think most comedians are generally happy people, I don’t think they’re
all depressed, though some might be. I think we’re just like everybody
else, happy some days, miserable others. Only thing is when I walk on
stage I have to be funny, so there’s pressure.
So, your ‘Difficult Second Tour’ is coming to Wigan at the end of this
month…
Yeah, I like Wigan, I played there on my last tour, and I work with a
Wigan girl every day on my radio. I’ve been to Wigan quite a few times
so I’m not a stranger, but I don’t know a great deal about it.
So, why should Wiganers who didn’t see you last time come this time?
What should they expect?
They can expect an all round good show. It’s not just stand up, there’s
a game show in the middle of it, and a song, and it’s a good night out.
Justin Moorhouse plays the Monaco Ballroom in Hindley on June 30th. For
more info, call 01942 255138.
Recommended Links:
www.justinmoorhouse.com – Justin’s Official website.
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