NEW:Fiveminuteswith BenLangley

Five minuteswith…

BEN LANGLEY

We getupcloseandpersonal with Norfolk’sfavourite comedian, actor,writer, producer,pantostar and Britain'sGot Talentsensation.

What is your favouritejoke?

It’s actuallya poem, by Spike Milligan.

I'venever feltfiner Saidthe King ofChina Sitting down to dine Andthenhedied He died, he did It wasonlyhalfpastnine

Who,orwhat,areyour comedy inspirations?

Ihavequiteaneclecticpull when itcomestocomedy. SpikeMilliganandThe Goons,EddieIzzard,Buster Keaton.Norman Wisdom was afirmfavourite growingup,I lovedhis physicalityand his cutecharacter.Idid meethim attheencoreawardsinLondon intheearly 2000s, butsadly he wasverydistantatthatpoint.Joe Pasqualeisagreatinspiration andIwas luckyenoughnot only to supporthim on hissummer tour, butweplayedHolmes andWatsoninmyplay‘HaHa Holmes!’ for68one-nighters.

Whatisyour favouritefilm andwhy?

Cinema Paradiso –the director’s cut. Awonderfulfilmabout hope. It’sbeautifulandverymoving. Hopeis whatfuelsourjourney, don’t youthink? Withouthope we have no purposeandwithno purpose we have nothing. Ithink a lotofpeople feltthis wayduring lockdown –sohere’s to hope!

Whereare your favourite placesinNorfolkandSuffolk?

It’sallaboutfamilytimefor me, so let’s to thebeach!Sea Pallingis sofamily friendlywithits golden sands,andwealwayshavea winner of aday.Mychildrenalso love Ringwoodriverbythe SwanPub; great forpaddling, ropeswingsand watchingfish. We recentlywentto ThePlaygroundoutside BurySt Edmunds wherethere is anassault course forthe wholefamily.

Who wouldplayyouin afilm?

Myson,Loxley,isnearly nine andhehas thesefunnybones! A natural feel ofan energyin aroom whichhehas aknack oftapping intoand creating alaugh. He’d play theyoung me andwhat about TaronEgerton forthe rest?

Which 3words best describe you?

MyfriendPaulZerdin(winner of America’sGot Talent2014) once described me as“funny,different, quite mad" –ok,that's four words! Iwould say: loving, erratic, honest.

Whatisyourperfect weekend?

Astayinacountry club/hotel overlookingthesea.Lunchwould include familyand friendsand lotsofShiraz.Children playing, walks on thebeach,festoonlights, summer flavours.

VillagePeople has 4pairs oftickets to give away to seeTheBen Langley Show attheFisher Theatre,Bungay,onFriday26August. To beinwitha chanceofwinning,visit www.village-people.info andfollowthe links