Paul Whitehouse reveals the catchphrase character who bombed

Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse built their reputations creating memorable characters with instantly recognisable catchphrases.

But for every Loadsamoney, there were misses too – as Whitehouse has revealed in the new Gold show  My Favourite Sketch.

One brash catchphrase that they were convinced would resonate was based on a question he asked Enfield one morning when his co-star looked tired. Why? 'Up all night shagging.'

Whitehouse confessed to host Sally Phillips: 'Oh God, that was so pathetic. We did try to do a character with that as a catchphrase. But everyone just went "urgh!". So it didn't work on any level.'

Whitehouse also paid tribute to Fry & Laurie on the show. Although it's well known he and Charlie Higson decorated the senior double-act's house when they lived together, he revealed that Fry and Laurie also gave him his screen debut in a crowd scene on their sketch show. 'I think it was the first time I'd been on telly. Quite nerve-racking' he recalled.

However, Fry and Laurie biographer Jem Roberts has questioned Whitehouse's memory, saying his Saturday Live appearances with Enfield's Loadsamoney predate A Bit Of Fry & Laurie.

Whitehouse also confirmed the rumour that Harry & Paul was cancelled after its third series in 2010. But he claimed that it was only revived for a fourth run after Enfield made a direct appeal to corporation bosses.

'I'm not looking to put the boot into the Beeb' he told Phillips. 'We were axed after the third series and I remember Harry wrote a letter saying, "Don't axe the show because I think there's a very good chance we're going to win a Bafta". And it did [the show's second]!

'I didn't know we were going to win a Bafta, I dunno how he did. He must have shelled out some money. He must have sold one of his many houses. Or some of the countries that he owns around the world.’

• My Favourite Sketch is on Gold at 10pm on Friday.

Published: 1 Oct 2018