I was doing Zoom comedy. The worst heckle is a message saying someone has left the meeting
BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT COMIC STEVE ROYLE TELLS MARION McMULLEN WHY HE’S READY TO RULE HIS OWN UK TOUR
Have you managed to keep busy following the final of Britain’s Got Talent last year?
The first lockdown no-one knew how long it was going to last, but the second I think people were better prepared.
It was challenging but I think performers rose to the challenge. I was doing Zoom comedy.
(Laughs) The worst online heckling is when someone leaves and you get a message saying ‘Dave has left the meeting, Lena has left the meeting, John has left the meeting’ and you just think ‘What have I done wrong?’
Mind you, I’ve added ventriloquism to my act. I could never do it, but now I just put on a face mask and no-one can see my lips move. It’s great. I’ve got Manky Monkey and he’s going to be joining me on tour.
Are you looking forward to the Steve (Royle) Variety Performance tour?
I’ve toured with people like Peter Kay and Dave Spikey over the years and I’ve often stood in the wings watching them and you can feel the excitement – and now I’m headlining my own tour.
(Laughs) People have paid to see me. It’s so great live shows are back again. I urge people to go to the theatre to help them get back on their feet the way they were before. Go and see something you wouldn’t normally see... me.
You’ve been performing for more than 30 years. What made you audition for Britain’s Got Talent last year?
Last year was my 30th in the business and I thought 2020 had a good ring to it, but the bigger reason was I was doing panto at Blackpool Grand Theatre.
I’ve been doing the panto there for years and I thought I’d go on and give it a little bit of a plug.
Then I got through the audition and I had to keep it a secret for SIX MONTHS until the end of August.
Not even my wife and children knew I had auditioned. I always thought if I could win over the audience then I could win over the judges, but because of Covid there was no audience. I had to re-think everything.
Did your wife and three daughters enjoy taking part in the finals of BGT with you?
They loved it. My family were not allowed to come and watch the semi-finals because of the restrictions and had to watch it on a computer screen at home.
I felt they were missing out, plus my wife wanted to meet Ant and Dec, so I made them part of the act. I went to the producers and asked if I could get the family involved and they thought it was a great idea.
It was a great opportunity for them to be involved and it was a unique experience. I met my Mum and Dad later and my Mum wanted to know what I got for coming third – like getting a prize at a church raffle.
Comedian and piano player Jon Courtenay won, of course, and all my Dad said to me was ‘I told you you should have kept up those piano lessons’.
You studied social and economic history at university. How did your love of performing come along?
(Laughs) At university. I was so bored I picked up these oranges off the table and began to juggle with them and that’s how I initially started to learn.
Social history is not the funniest of degrees, but I already went to Oldham Theatre Workshop. My parents were both teachers and told me get an education first so that’s what I did, but being on stage is what I love.
What was your first TV appearance?
It was probably during my days when I was a Granada Studio tour guide on Coronation Street. I’d be background fodder on something like Granada Reports. I was litertelly ally the guy in the background. Then I was on a talent show hosted by Les Dennis in the 1990s called Give Your Mate A Break and then later I did Phoenix Nights playing a bad juggler.
Peter Kay has always looked after me so well. I did Max And Paddy’s Road To Nowhere with him and on Car Share I was the best mate he spoke to on the phone. I’ve been so lucky.
I was part of Peter’s Phoenix Nights Live show at the Manchester Arena appearing before 15,000 people. Two of the biggest shows of my life – BGT before four people and Phoenix Nights Live before 15,000.
Go to steveroyle.com for tour and ticket details for the Steve (Royle) Variety Performance