Eddie revels in CityLife Comedian Of The Year triumph
Eddie Hoo
NURSING the mother and father of all hangovers, the 2008 CityLife Comedian Of The Year Eddie Hoo is understandably a little worse for wear when we catch up with him the morning after the monumental night before.
And why why wouldn’t he be? After all it’s not every day you follow in the esteemed footsteps of Peter Kay, Dave Spikey, Jason Manford and John Bishop.
Below the Bolton-based 32-year-old gives CityLife.co.uk an insight into his win, his career to date and his hopes for the future:
Congratulations Eddie! You must delighted with how the night went.
Yes! It went as well as it could have done really. It was probably one of the best gigs I’ve ever done. Everything clicked into place and the audience were wonderful - I haven’t got any complaints at all!
We you pleased with how your own set went?
I was yep, I just didn’t want to die horribly at the Comedy Store in front of all these people and in particular a lot of people who I knew and thankfully I didn’t!
How long did you have to wait before finding out you had won?
I was on third, which was a nice time to go on and as soon as I’d done I went straight to the bar filled with relief! Unfortunately, by the time the result was announced I don’t think I was in the fittest state to be honest as I’d had one or two Guinnesses! It was lovely evening though.
Aside from the title – what else did you actually win?
There’s a £1,000, which is really nice and I might get an open spot in the Comedy Store in London if I’m really lucky. With Christmas coming up the money will come in really handy!
Once you’d won how did the rest of the night unfold?
It was all a bit of blur basically. I’m feeling a bit worse for wear to be honest – but really happy!
Was there much tension between the acts?
There was a lovely atmosphere between us all to be honest, because most of us know each other. I play football with a couple of them, there wasn't any nastiness – I know that’s really boring, but it’s true.
It’s a really prestigious prize – it must mean a great deal to you.
It hasn’t really sunk in to be honest! I’ve had loads of texts from people saying well done – it’s fantastic, for people to like my act is just great.
How long have you been performing?
I’ve been performing for about three years. The first gig I did was for Des Sharples, he rang me today to say well done actually. It was at his Iguana Bar in Chorlton and to be honest - like most people’s gigs – it went quite well thanks due to the adrenaline to be honest!
Are you hoping to go full-time now?
I don’t earn enough money from it to go full-time. I don’t know whether I will in the future – I do need to eat and pay the bills, if I’m lucky it will pay for me to travel around plus a bit of beer money.
What does the rest of the year hold for you?
I’ve got a few dates in the diary, but hopefully this will lead to one or two more. I just want to keep doing comedy and getting better. It’s a long, slow process – but I’m gradually improving. The nice thing about winning has shown that I have improved.
You started at the age of 29, which is quite late. What was the impetus?
I would never have had the confidence as a teenager or whatever to go near the stage. You see teenagers who aren’t even old enough to drink doing stand-up I was never one of those. I had more confidence plus a lot more to talk about when I started.
Click on the links above to read a review of the final and watch Eddie in action.
Published: Mon, 27 October, 2008
Comment on this article
You need to be logged in to comment. Login | Register