Lehmo

An ony ‘Lehmo’ Lehmann

THE RADIO AND TV FUNNYMAN ON THE IMPORTANT ISSUES IN LIFE Some days are great simply being the lone man in the crowd

‘You travelling with anyone today, sir?’ ‘No, just me.’

‘OK.’

‘Are you waiting for anyone?’

‘No, just me.’

‘So ... a table for one?’

‘Yes, a table for one.’

‘OK.’

I am very happy to leave the house by myself and get stuck into activities that have been traditionally reserved for groups of more than one.

I have been to live comedy shows by myself, I’ve fl own solo at the theatre and, on many, many occasions, I have been to the cinema by myself. I have no issues with any of this.

In fact, going to the cinema by myself is my preference — no interruptions, no questions and no other hand digging around in my popcorn.

I can make a mess of that myself, thank you very much. When I leave the cinema

I cannot believe the level of popcorn spillage at my seat — it honestly looks like an earthquake hit the cinema and shook it out of my hand.

I fi nd a solo cinema visit quite peaceful, except if someone sits in the seat right next to me. This is my pet hate. Seriously, there is a whole cinema to choose from! My dream, which I have lived a handful of times is to be the only person in the cinema — it feels like they put the movie on for you!

Travelling by myself has always been fun. There are no negotiations around what we are doing today or which restaurant we are going to or whether a walking tour is better than a bus tour and I can leave a museum when I am ready and not stare painfully at a painting for two hours longer than I need to.

Dining by myself is also something I have absolutely no issues with. Some people fi nd this uncomfortable and, in some cases, unbelievable. I’m not just talking breakfast, I will happily have lunch solo and dinner, too, and I couldn’t care less if the rest of the restaurant is jam packed! A good meal, a drink and my book (or probably my mobile phone) and I am very content.

Don’t get me wrong, I love people, I really do! I’m a big fan of hanging out with other people, but I’m also a big fan of time by myself.

However, when lone time is forced on me it can make me a little anxious and lonely. As a comedian I have spent countless nights over the past 20 years alone in hotel rooms wishing I had a mate I could hang out with.

Invariably you go through periods in life when you feel disconnected or isolated — you may have moved house, lost a job or just drifted — and the feelings of loneliness set in.

This was especially prevalent during last year’s lockdown, so every afternoon when I walked the dog, I would call someone — a family member, a close friend, an old school friend, a fellow comedian, my manager, it could be anyone, but that simple connection was important. Often calls would start with a slightly panicked, ‘Lehmo! It’s been ages. What’s up?’ ‘I’m just calling for a chat.’ At which point they would be equal parts relieved and suss, especially if it was our fi rst chat in years.

And I’m very proud of the birthday gift I arranged for my wife earlier this year. She, too, has had plenty of those moments where she has felt disconnected from those closest to her. So I wanted to get together her absolute nearest and dearest for a birthday lunch to remind all of us what we mean to each other and how important it is to make time to spend together.

Imagine my surprise when all 20 RSVP’d immediately. And, again, imagine my surprise when they all arrived on time. And imagine my surprise when they all stayed late (this actually wasn’t as surprising).

As 20 of us sat around a long table, with a medievaltype feast in front of us at our local pub, we couldn’t have been happier. We all needed each other and it was a glorious birthday celebration connecting with those we love the most.

But I also enjoyed the following day when I had a restaurant lunch by myself and watched Nobody at the cinema ... by myself. Joy!