Jason Manford recalls Frank Carson nicking his gag

Stealing jokes from another comedian might be frowned upon nowadays. But older stand-ups weren't so shy about helping themselves to another act's material.

Jason Manford and Phil Nichol have been reminiscing about the first Dubai Comedy Festival. Directed by Jim Davidson, the 2005 event featured a mix of old-school and newer comics.

Telling listeners of Manford's Absolute Radio show that they were looked after royally on the lavish trip, Nichol recalled Carey Marx saying that when you rang hotel room service to enquire after the use of an elephant, the receptionist would ask 'African or Indian sir?'

At the festival, Manford performed a routine about there being more Irish people living in the rest of the world than in Ireland. The Irish tourist board, he suggested, should use the slogan: 'Ireland – we're not all there'.

Upon hearing this, Frank Carson – who died in 2012 – shot up out of his seat and declared: 'I'm 'avin that!'

'And he did' Manford reflected magnanimously. 'He pulled rank.'

Published: 12 Nov 2018