Comedy and Error

As part of The Fast Show's eclectic ensemble of fresh comedy talent Simon Day brought to our screens some hugely funny and memorable characters of his creation: Competitive Dad, Dave Angel the Eco Warrior, Billy Bleach and the much-lauded music-hall legend Tommy Cockles - to name but a few. Throughout the nineties life was good and Day seemed to be enjoying himself enormously. In fact, behind the scenes he was struggling with addictions - to gambling, food, alcohol and drugs - and a capacity for self-destruction that almost destroyed his life and career. In Comedy and Error he recounts his extraordinary journey: from his steady, middle-class childhood in South East London through his time in borstal, his subsequent homelessness and depression, and the remarkable twist of fate that led him to meet a young Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer, whose confidence in his natural comedic talent and oddball humour gave him the platform from which to start his career in stand-up. With sharp wit, charm and candour he talks about his vagabond existence and the addictions that dogged him. Simon Day's story is one step sideways from normality. Besides, in the words of his stalwart creation Tommy Cockles, they really were marvellous times........