10 questions for jim
The ‘witty, loyal and impatient’ Mr Davidson.
WHY A ONE-MAN PLAY RATHER THAN STAND-UP?
I’m debating whether to stop touring completely. I’ve been offered a full-time job with the charity so I wanted to set the record straight before I made up my mind.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SET THE RECORD
STRAIGHT ON?
The right-wing, homophobic, racist image I have. I always wanted to be accepted by the younger comics, so this is as much for Frankie Boyle as it is for me. I grew up in an ethnic minority family – we were Scots living in London – so I’m no racist.
YOUR SHOW DEALS WITH FAMILY ISSUES. DIFFICULT?
When showedI wonoff, parkingNew Faces my my Rolls mum’s Royce life outsidewas turnedher council upside house. down.I I was stupid. She hated the wilder side of me that showbiz brought out. I did apologise eventually for being a berk.
DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN THREE ADJECTIVES.
Witty, loyal and Impatient. I always want things NOW. That explains all of my marriages.
ARE YOU EASY TO LIVE WITH?
No. I get tunnel vision about things, pushing everything else aside. I think I’m on the bipolar scale. The ups in my life are the worst times, because that’s when I risk everything.
WHO MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Barry Humphries as Dame Edna because he has an extreme comedy intelligence. Also, I love the late Dave Allen. He wasn’t a quick one-liner type, just a wonderful storyteller.
BEST AND WORST OF TIMES?
The best was hosting The Generation Game. The worst was getting sacked from it. A new boss came in and said: “What’s that right-wing so-and-so doing on my screen? Get him off.”
LAST BOOK YOU READ?
Fighting For Peace by General Sir Michael Rose. It taught me not to argue with his bodyguard, a guy called Goose who now works for me.
WHAT WILL BE ON YOUR HEADSTONE?
I have my charity and the work it’s done, so I’ll be happy if my tombstone simply says: “He was a funny guy.”
YOU YOU SPENDHAVE 24 THEM? HOURS LEFT TO LIVE. HOW DO
I would everyonegrab a rifle who and has get beenmy own horrible back to on me. But my with doctor my wouldluck, as say the he’d police made closeda in, mistake and I was getting better.