I started at school writing silly plays when I was 12 and giving myself the starring role. I would then force the whole school to watch them. Bit of a worry really.

What’s the single best experience you’ve had doing it?

I was on stage in Leicester in about 1993 and for some reason suddenly found my own act utterly hilarious. I could barely talk. I would squeak each joke out. The whole front row of the gig was in tears. we were all crying with laughter together for no apparent reason. It was beautiful.

And the worst?

Well I tend to blank out bad experiences. And anyway even dying on stage in front of hundreds of people still represents a great way to earn a living. As I always say, at least I'm not in Iraq.

Is there anything you regret doing – or not doing – in your career?

Not that I can think of. Quite often the jobs I've done that turned out to be a bit rubbish were great fun to work on.

And of what are you most proud?

Being able to somersault a biro into the air and catch it behind my ear.

Why should we buy this DVD?

Because for a start it includes pen behind the ear.

What are your plans for the next 12 months?

I have one date flagged up in the diary. On October 13, 2009, I go into Elvis credit so I shall celebrate. (Elvis credit is something I've come up with. Its when you become older than Elvis ever was. He lived for 42 years 7 months 2 weeks and 1 day. My Elvis deathday is October 12th.)

And your long-term ambitions?

My long term ambitions are a bit wishy washy. Do films, sing, change the world, blah de blah.

What advice would you give to any comedian starting today?

Do hundreds of gigs. Its the only advice that means anything in this job. You learn by doing it.

Who – or what – makes you laugh?

Foster Brooks, (Fantastic. Look him up on YouTube, particularly his sketch with Dean Martin and the Dean Martin roasts.) Max Wall's silly walk. Freddie Starr's Mick Jagger impression. Frankie Howerd. Larry Grayson. And my best of Benny Hill video. Benny Hill is often lazily written off as sexist or rarely mentioned at all in great British comedian lists. I love him. I also find Matthew Osborne very funny. The comedy promoter PJ makes me laugh too. Particularly offstage.

Tim Vine: So I Said To This Bloke.. is out now on DVD. Click here to buy.

Published: 10 Nov 2008