Desert Island Discs Revisited: Comic Castaways 2 - Paul Whitehouse

DESERT ISLAND DISCS REVISITED: COMIC CASTAWAYS 2 - PAUL WHITEHOUSE (320kbs-m4a/98mb/42mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 25th April 2021

From Maria Callas to The Sex Pistols.

Comedian, actor and writer Paul Whitehouse shares his castaway choices with Sue Lawley.

Born in the Rhonda Valley in Wales, Paul and his family soon moved to Enfield, North London where he grew up. Paul was never particularly ambitious, but he was bright and got a place at University, although he dropped out in his first year. He went on to work as a plasterer and was quite content, enjoying a bit of humorous banter in the pub with his friends who included Harry Enfield and Charlie Higson.

Harry was first to get employed as a comedian - on Saturday Night Live - and he got Paul and Charlie to write for him. Soon, Paul was a regular contributor to Harry's show Harry Enfield and Chums. But Paul and Charlie were awash with ideas and characters and The Fast Show was born, laden with an influx of catchphrases that swamped common vernacular, such as "Brilliant!" "Very, very drunk" "Suit you, sir!" and "which was nice".

After various acting roles on TV and completing a live tour of The Fast Show, Paul decided to write a situation comedy, and in 2001 the series Happiness was born.

At the 1998 BAFTA Awards, Paul won the Best Light Entertainment Performance prize and The Fast Show won Best Light Entertainment Programme.

Favourite track: Tumbling Dice by Rolling Stones
Book: A chord book full of songs and arias
Luxury: A piano

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2003.

The O'Jays - Love Train [Sony]
Anita Whitehouse - Unwaith Eto (To See You Again) - PRIVATE TAPE
Sex Pistols - God Save The Queen [Virgin]
Enrico Caruso - Una Furtiva Lagrima [Nimbus]
Hackney 5-0 - Carmen Miranda [Traxdata]
Aretha Franklin - I Say A Little Prayer [Parlophone]
Giacomo Puccini - Vissi d'arte (from Tosca) [EMI]
The Rolling Stones - Tumbling Dice [Virgin]