'I'll play Middle East - in Arabic'

Eddie Izzard says he wants to perform in the Middle East - in Arabic.

The comic has already performed in France and Germany, using their native languages.

But on stage at Wembley Arena this week, he announced that he wanted to return to Yemen, the country where he was born in 1962.

"My idea is to go to Yemen and do a gig in Arabic," he said. "I am a child of the Middle East."

Izzard's father John worked for oil giant BP, but the comic says the only words his dad ever picked up were "One beer", "Two beers" and "Three beers".

Review of Sexie in Wembley

Published: 24 Dec 2003