SIXTY SECONDS
Lost Voice Guy THE COMEDIAN, AKA LEE RIDLEY, 40, ON VACCINATION BY VET, WHAT BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT PARTIES ARE LIKE AND HIS AUTOBIOGRAPHY
How have you found lockdown?
It’s been a really hard time for most people, obviously. My creativity has really suffered but I’ve still written my Radio 4 sitcom, Ability, and it gave me the opportunity to write my next show, Cerebral Lolsy, which hits the road next year.
You were vaccinated by a vet!
I got my first Covid vaccination in Newcastle and the volunteer giving me my jab told me he usually looks after sheep. The only vet that I really know of is Mr Chinnery from TV comedy The League Of Gentlemen. He’s the one who always messes things up and keeps killing the animals. So I definitely made sure it wasn’t him before proceeding.
How tough was it to write your autobiography?
I’ve always enjoyed writing. I was lucky enough to have a great English teacher called
Mr Pod. Plus, I had a lifetime of experiences to write about. I think my favourite part of it is the long list of accidents. It was fun thinking about them all. In fact, I’ve had so many trips and falls that I’m amazed I’m still here to tell the stories.
What was the toughest section to write?
Writing about my grandad was pretty tough because we were very close and he’s not with us any more. But it was good to acknowledge what a big influence he was. My nana and grandad always visited on a Saturday and I’d force him to play computer games all afternoon. I just wish he had been around to see me become a successful comedian.
When did you start making people laugh?
I was always trying to make my friends at school laugh. Also, I think humour helped me cope with everything when I was growing up and it still helps today. I’ve always been able to see the funny side of my disability. If I didn’t laugh about my situation, I’d most definitely cry. I think I used humour as a defence mechanism. As long as I was laughing at myself, it meant no one else could laugh at me first. Of course, I never thought I’d ever be a comedian – I just
As long as I was laughing at myself, it meant that no one else could laugh at me first
thought it wasn’t possible because I couldn’t speak. So I didn’t really give it much thought when I was growing up. My career in comedy came about because a mate thought it would work well. Eventually, I decided to give it a try because I knew I’d regret it if I didn’t.
How old were you when you found your voice? Was it through a computer-generated board?
I got my first communication aid when I was eight. Before that, I used sign language. I didn’t appreciate it as much as I do now. I’m pretty sure I was just amused that I could finally say ‘bum’, ‘boobs’ and ‘willy’.
Did your life change overnight after winning Britain’s Got Talent in 2019?
Completely! One of the best things to happen since I won is that people are engaging with me a lot more. For the first time they seem comfortable talking to a disabled person.
I’m used to being stared at for negative reasons so it’s nice to be stared at for positive reasons for a change.
Have the judges stayed in touch? Do you have Simon Cowell on speed dial?
I think Simon would get sick of me ringing him, although he might mistake me for one of those automated messages. But all the judges have been so supportive since I won. I’ve met
Simon and David Walliams a few times and they have given me advice. David even came to see my show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival a few years ago. Simon is always inviting me to his parties.
Tell us something we would never guess about Britain’s Got Talent, like the studio’s small, or Simon’s actually shy…
The parties aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. After working hard all day, everyone just wants to go to bed instead of hitting the hotel bar.
Any interesting encounters with famous people?
Dancing with Paul Elliott from The Chuckle Brothers at the Royal Variety Performance party was a highlight. But encounters with the general public are more interesting. For example, I regularly get called ‘him off The X Factor’ by people in the street. I obviously have a great singing voice! People always seem to get my name wrong as well. I chose a stage name so I would stand out from the crowd of all the other new comedians. I thought it would make me more memorable but you’d be surprised at the many variations of that name I’ve been called. People have called me all sorts from No Voice Boy to Misplaced Voice Man to The Guy With No Voice. All great material, though!
Ridley’s autobiography, I’m Only In It For The Parking, is out now