DO YOU, AYE?
Comic Kev on the high price of fame: I have to go abroad to avoid being stopped in the street
KEVIN Bridges has revealed he escapes the pressures of fame by flying abroad.
His favourite boltholes include Boston, Barcelona and Madrid, where he can walk the streets without being recognised.
The 32-year-old comedian, who grew up in Clydebank and lives in Glasgow’s west end, claims going out in his home city can be a minefield.
He said: “I used to go for walks constantly through the city centre, just observing things going on and writing, but if I go into Buchanan Street it becomes a bit of a fanfare, a bit of an operation.
“I can be in town with a hat and scarf and someone will recognise me.
“I don’t mind as long as I’m prepared for it – and most people are lovely and respectful – but it can get you a bit uptight, a bit nervous.
“I think I have become a more introspective person because everyone you speak to knows you, so the conversation is very one-sided. I had a taxi driver once who argued with me over which school I went to.
“With that maybe negative side of fame comes the positive that you have now made some money, so you can travel.
“I go to Boston quite a lot, I enjoy it over there, Barcelona and Madrid. You can still observe people quite a lot.
“It’s not so much watching, it’s just daydreaming, just going somewhere where you can switch off and think back or something triggers a memory.
“You see something like a big yellow American school bus going by and it makes you think, ‘Imagine my school year taking a bus everywhere’.
“People are people. I don’t quite agree with that ‘only in Glasgow could this happen’, the Weegie banter.
“Life is inherently quite funny and I find there is so much comedy to be found in human nature, regardless of where you are in the world.” Kevin is on tour with his Brand New show, which is released on DVD today. It was recorded during his sell-out 19-night run at the SSE Hydro in October – a feat which saw him receive the Gie It Laldy award from the Glasgow arena for selling more tickets than any other solo artist. Kevin will sign copies of The Brand New Tour – Live at HMV in Glasgow’s Argyle Street on December 14 from 6pm onwards.