Why Jeremy Hardy shuns London

Jeremy Hardy says he won't gig in London because "there is too much attention paid to comedy".

The Radio 4 regular still gigs every couple of weeks, but prefers to stay away from the capital's thriving comedy circuit.

He told London's Time Out magazine: "I still perform that often because I like it.

"But not in London, the intensity of the spotlight is off-putting. I don't want to be pidgeonholed as part of that scene."

He added: "It's quite nice to realise that I won't be any more famous than I am now. But I wouldn't want to be less famous. I quite happy coasting along at this level."

Published: 7 Nov 2001