Jimmy’s comedy helped depression

HE’S ONE of the nation’s favourite stand-ups but Jimmy Carr says how he got into comedy was no laughing matter.

The 8 Out Of 10 Cats star reveals that he became a comedian so he could alleviate a mental disorder. He explains: “I got into comedy primarily because I had a problem with mental health.

“I used to work in the oil industry in marketing and in my mid-20s I was a bit depressed.

“So I got into comedy as I thought it would be a quite joyful thing to do – to tell jokes.”

Jimmy, 44, whose acerbic style of joke telling has gained millions of fans and an equivalent amount of cash, also believes that comedy is a protective shield from reality. “The news lately has been very brutal, day after day, and comedy gives you a very rose-tinted way of viewing it as you see the funny side of things and see a different angle to things,” he says. “It puts you in a good mood almost all the time.”

However, after an enjoyable experience working with one of the UK’s biggest pop stars, could a shift into other areas of the entertainment industry be on the cards? “I wrote some songs with Robbie Williams a couple of years ago and they made the album. It was a fun thing to do,” he adds.

“I would like to do a film but there are no offers yet.”

In the meantime: “I just want to do my TV shows and tour. I love it. I am not looking for more than that.”