Quotes from Richard Herring

I wonder if Shakespeare ever had to write a play in 10 days while suffering from jet-lag? Probably. It would explain why his comedies are so crap.

It's a weird thing, having a double act - I think Stew puts more energy into his solo stuff than I do, and tries to establish his independence more.

I have a lack of practical skills. I can't mend anything or do anything manly; I don't understand how anything works.

Personally I find that deadlines are the best inspiration.

For me genius is '1% inspiration and 99% procrastination.'

In my 20s and 30s, I vociferously wanted to be single. I rarely got into long-term relationships and enjoyed going out with different people.

I really like 'Community.' I like the way they're allowed to have a week when they go crazy and use stop-frame animation or a different pastiche. There's an episode with a fake clip show.

Rick And Morty' is the most consistently brilliant, densely plotted and enjoyable television show I have ever seen. It's childish, yet super-clever, without ever being clever-clever.

Whoever said having children makes a comedian safer and less dark is an idiot. Having a baby has filled my whole life with fear, and totally destroyed all illusion that the world is safe or fair.

The funniest book I've ever had read to me is 'I, Partridge.' It's a brilliantly written book, but it's the greatest audiobook there has ever been.

I love the vibe of Italy, drinking coffee and wine, and eating pasta and pizza there.

When everyone was listening to pop music I was listening to Monty Python records.

I was religious probably until I was about eight but I always questioned stuff very early on.

There are funny things that come from disability.

It is rare for a joke to emerge fully formed and it is worth grafting away until it is absolutely right. Though perversely too much work, too much thought, can destroy a gag completely.

The gay community has a strength and identity that has been lost by dispossessed, guilt-ridden, straight men.

I don't like people doing jokes about disabled people for no good reason, but I can still understand why they do them.

There are comedic rules and formulae and, while these tenets should be respected, especially by a newcomer, perversely you can still succeed by openly contradicting them. Because comedy is about breaking the rules. Even its own rules. Though, as with many disciplines, it is wise to master the basics before you attempt to subvert them.

My granddad was very funny and I really loved making people laugh. I used to do puppet shows and I really liked seeing people's reactions.

I was in awe of my older brother, but he was also quite a threatening figure - he used to beat me up.

Comedy thrives on immediacy and I got fed up waiting months to find out if a radio sketch show was being commissioned.

I am reasonably nice-looking and have quite an expressive face, which is good for comedy.

Laughter is this amazing and healing thing.

I did WeightWatchers for a while with my then girlfriend. It worked a bit, but it's all about losing weight rather than fat, which isn't always helpful.