More than anyone, I wanted to prank Donald Trump
Comedian Simon Brodkin has trumped Trump and rapped as a rabbi on TV. He tells MARION McMULLEN about his new tour
How would you describe your new stand-up show Serious Joker?
IT’S pure Lee Nelson ... although he’s moved on a little. I wouldn’t exactly say he’s grown up but he’s no longer nicking stuff from Sports Direct.
In fact, last tour he started wearing a suit and for this new tour the suit’s even sharper. Having said that, the security tag’s still on the sleeve.
He also loves chatting to the audience. We had a 92-year-old in yesterday. I don‘t know if she was a fan of Lee or just looking for the toilet, but she sat there with a big smile on her face.
How else has Lee’s character changed?
WELL, he’s lived a little and has now seen life outside of the estate. He’s had to move on. He’ll always be a plonker.
Lee at his best is an accidental philosopher. Like when he talks about being a dad, ‘Since having kids of my own I now have more respect for the decisions my dad took. I now totally understand why he left us.’
How many kids has Lee got?
DEPENDS what day you catch him. He names them like Posh and Becks do. There’s little Stairwell, Clio – that was in the back of an old car – Nina was in the back of a police car. And he’s just had baby George. That was in the back of Asda.
You are also well known for your stunts. How do you decide on a target to prank?
THE one person I wanted more than anyone was Donald Trump.
I always try and go for individuals and organisations that could do with being brought down to earth, hopefully with a funny bump – the people who go about life like they’re untouchable.
If you can burst that bubble just for a split second, that’s where it’s at for me. I’m not sure I’ll ever be allowed into America now, but then I’m not sure anyone will.
What happened after you delivered custom-made, swastika-emblazoned golf balls to Donald Trump during a televised press conference?
THE more stunts I’ve done, the more people have started knowing who I am.
When I did one of the early ones, warming up with Manchester City at Goodison Park, the police thought I was just a random nutter (instead of what I am – a professional nutter) and treated me pretty badly, keeping me in the cells as long as possible.
But this time, the Scottish police realised who I was and, going from potential terrorist to well-known prankster, changed their outlook. They were incredibly good to me.
Was it scary at all?
I WAS told Trump was furious and that he wanted the police to prosecute me. But the Scottish Police persuaded him and his people to drop the charges.
Eventually Trump said he was happy for the Scottish police to let me go but his security wanted some interview time with me, which I can imagine wouldn’t have been too pleasant – I hate getting water-boarded. However, the Scottish police refused to hand me over for which I’m forever grateful.
In fact, I had such a good time with eight police officers while handcuffed in the back of a van, at times it I felt like I was on a hen do!
They kept telling me how lucky I was to be alive. Always a bonus after a stunt.
Were you worried they would smell a rat when you auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent as a rapping rabbi?
I KNOW it’s ultimately a popular light-entertainment series, so I can hardly compare taking on Donald J. Trump – the world’s most powerful man in charge of a vast nuclear arsenal – to tricking Amanda Holden. But as well as having a lot of fun, by going on as an utterly ridiculous contestant, I was trying to expose what little talent is required to get through on the show.
A good sob story got me a long way. To research the stunt I watched more of Britain’s Got Talent than it’s reasonable to ask of anyone.
You always seem calm doing your stunts. What’s your secret?
I’M just delighted to be out of the house. Once you’ve had kids, calm is simply being away from them for a few minutes.
Also it’s genuinely a lot of fun. The more wound up you are, the less you can think straight. Maybe my medical training helps.
When someone comes in with half their arm off, it’s never helpful for the doctor to just stand still and scream. My life is more laughter now and less X-rays.
Has your approach to pranks changed?
BEFORE I did Britain’s Greatest Hoaxer for Channel 4 last month, I always did the stunts on my own. They were self-funded project for my own amusement and the odd day out in court.
The actual prank was the beginning, the middle and the end, whether it was 10 seconds throwing money at Sepp Blatter, 20 seconds being with the England team as they went on the plane or however many seconds performing on stage with Kanye West.
Then with the show, I was suddenly constantly being filmed and there were times when I was worried that was going to hinder me, especially when we were talking about using a hidden camera.
If you’re about to prank Donald Trump the last thing you want is for the Secret Service to frisk you and find a little battery pack and a wire wrapped round your body.
That’s going to be mission unsuccessful and seven years in Guantanamo Bay.
LEE will be at St David’s Hall, Cardiff, on Sunday.