FIRST PERSON

I was happiest when ... I first discovered I could sing and I’ve been happy ever since. I’m generally a pretty happy guy, my wife and my kids always make me most happy. You wouldn’t know it but ... I have had Obsessive Compulsive Disorder since I was a young kid. The last time I cried was ... as a child. I cried so much, not wanting to sleep, that I tell my kids I have no tears left. The last book I read was ... Moon Boy, a great book by Irish actor Chris O’ Dowd who incidentally stars in the TV show I’m most watching right now, Get Shorty. My favourite films are ... I’m a sucker for classic comedies like Ghostbusters and Ace Ventura, both of which I can quote line for line. Also love action films like The Bourne Identity and Bond films. I really want to ... bring my family to South Africa. I lived there as a child and I’d love to go back. My guilty pleasure is ... a chocolate flake crushed in a glass of milk or any variation of tic tacs. Whenever I do a long drive I eat loads of orange tic tac. Life has taught me ... to enjoy the simple things, live in the moment and not sweat the small stuff. I’m about to ... write my next album and record it myself. I’ve just relocated to the Upper Hunter Valley [in NSW] where I am co-host to a breakfast radio show but recording my own music is still top of my list. My first job was ... as a waiter in a restaurant and I was terrible at it. I accidentally dropped broccoli on a lady’s permed hair. My most memorable work-related moment is … stepping on a stage during the Pope’s visit to Sydney and performing to more than 100,000 people. Second to that was singing the Irish Anthem at a rugby match. What I enjoy most about my work is… I love the fact singing and entertaining is my work. It’s a privilege.

See Damien Leith perform at Launceston’s Country Club, on Friday, November 16 at 8pm and Hobart’s Wrest Point, on Saturday, November 17 at 8pm. Tickets from $45.85 adults or $40.75 concession. damienleith.com/tours