‘It’s a crazy ride already’
You might recognise Chris Ramsey from one of his many standup appearances on our screens over the years, but now the comedian is set to become a permanent fixture in households up and down the country as he’s currently starring in this year’s series of
alongside his professional dance partner Karen Hauer.
And comes just weeks after he released his first comedy special, for Amazon Prime.
But they’re not the only things keeping the 33-year-old busy at the moment, as he also has a hugely successful and hilarious podcast alongside his wife Rosie called,
The couple also have a three-yearold son, Robin.
We spoke to funnyman Chris to find out more about his stand-up special, how he really feels about
sequins and why he always finds time for date nights…
Hi Chris.Tell us how your new Amazon Prime comedy special came about…
Me and my wife were doing our podcast at the beginning of the year and then I got asked to do the Amazon Prime special but the time limit was crazy.They needed the turnaround really quickly and I’d just done a tour and I needed to write a new show, but I worked out that most of my shows are created within a couple of months.
Were you nervous before filming the special?
I was terrified before going on stage. I’ve recorded specials before, but it being on TV or a DVD is one thing. The fact that this is Amazon Prime and it’s going all around the world was really frightening. I did two records, the first record went great but I didn’t enjoy it at all because I was so nervous. But I’m so happy with how it turned out.
Your podcast with your wife Rosie has become so popular, did you ever imagine that it would be so successful?
We had no idea. I’ve never been top of the charts for anything, so to be top of the charts every week on Spotify… It’s just me and my wife in the kitchen with some microphones I bought off the internet that are just plugged into my laptop.The fact that that slapdash thing is top of the charts is madness. It’s mind-blowing.
Do you enjoy working together?
My wife is so funny and so lovely, and obviously she’s the love of my life and the best person that I’ve ever met and the fact that we can do this together is great. And it’s helped our relationship as well. We can talk about things.
Of course you’re currently on too, what has the experience been like so far?
I’m really excited. I’m looking forward to getting fit but I’m also looking forward to learning how to dance. It’s a crazy ride already and I can’t stress enough how nice all of the celebs are. The professional dancers are lovely as well, the male dancers are a bit too good-looking so I don’t like standing next to them for long.
How would you describe your dancing ability?
My current level of dancing is probably
100 per cent better than what it used to be, it was so bad.
I literally could’ve learnt the Macarena and it would’ve been better. But I think that it’s all about confidence. I’ve got a good memory so that’s the only thing that I have in my favour.
How are things going with your professional partner Karen?
I’ll be honest with you, she did message me and say,“You have to start doing some cardio,” which is already upsetting. She also actually sent us a photoshopped picture of my head on a really muscly body and was like,“I think you can get to this standard.”I was like,“Oh God!”
Are you excited to be
with the glitzy costumes, the tans and the make-up?
I’m from the North East and we’ve all seen so I think that fake tan is in the blood. The amount of rhinestones and diamantés that the wardrobe department can put onto one piece of clothing is mindboggling. But yeah, I’m fully up for it and if Karen has anything to do with it I’ll be as muscly as that photo she sent so I can wear a plunging neckline.
Would you like to make it all the way to the final?
I’m glad to do the show and if I went out early I’d still be glad, but of course I’d love to get to the final. I’d love to win it, everyone would. I think you’re lying if you say you wouldn’t. But it’s not the be all and end all of my life. I’m not going to get really competitive and be a d*** about it.
How do you find juggling fatherhood and a busy work life?
It’s hectic and it’s hard. I had a massive stint last year where I was away and I came back and I cuddled my son and I just cried because I missed him and my wife so much. It is difficult but I do get long stints of being off at the same time. Before my Amazon special I basically had January and February off so you have got to cherish that time as well.
Do you and Rosie make sure you find time for date nights?
Yeah, it’s very important when you have got a kid to not become two people who look after a kid. You’re the same person and you were in love before you had a child and you are still the foundation of that family.
What’s left on your career bucket list?
In the future I’d love to write and star in a sitcom, that would be a lovely thing to do. I’m always aiming for bigger tours, being better and just improving myself.