Classic Interview: Phil Ellis – 2018

An Early Chat With The Oddball Taskmaster Star

This interview dates from 2018 when Phil Ellis was just starting to make some solo headway with his madcap comedy. He was part of the team who won the Edinburgh Comedy Award Panel Prize in 2014 with Funz And Gamez, the kids show that adults loved too, but still lived in a shared house and was having difficulty storing his watermelon on his shelf in the fridge. He was nominated for an Edinburgh Comedy Award in 2023 and was on Taskmaster in 2025. He returns to the Edinburgh Fringe this summer with his latest show, Bath Mat, which he is also taking on tour. Dates here.

1. What is the last thing you do before you go onstage (apart from check your flies and/or check your knickers aren’t sticking out of your skirt and check for spinach between your teeth)?

I have a thing about checking my nose. I have to have a good long look up the nostrils to make sure there’s nothing flapping around up there. I do that whenever I’m in a bathroom or public toilet too, which leads other toilet users to assume that I know where the drugs at (Not sure if that’s a saying). I also call all of my ex girlfriends on a withheld number and shout “You made me stronger!” before hanging up. Then and only then am I ready to create laughter.

2. What irritates you?

Poison Ivy. Hahaha but no, seriously? I get irritated quite often. As my career and personal life are well on track at the moment, I live in a house share with 6 other people and if I wasn’t so lethargical all the time from alcohol poisoning, I’d have probably killed them all by now. Don’t get me wrong, I love them all very much but I just don’t think I can live with others very well, which has never been a problem before as I’ve always been so hideously alone. I get irritated by all the usual things really, queueing, people who pay using their phone and when a fellow northerner says “Bokkle” instead of “bottle” (this happens more often than you’d imagine)

3. What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done?

Oh I do dangerous things all the time because I welcome death but probably the most dangerous thing I have ever done was fall in love.

4. What is the most stupid thing you have ever done?

See above.

5. What has surprised you the most during your career in comedy?

Mainly that I’ve got a career in comedy. I mean, I use the term “career” very loosely but I haven’t used a pump truck or worn a hi-vis jacket in over 8 years. I was surprised and quite taken aback at how you can sometimes just hit on an idea that really captures people’s imaginations and can push your career forward quite significantly. I was surprised when I got to work with heroes of mine who I’d admired for years and how welcoming they were. They made it seem quite natural to be chatting with them about everyday stuff like ironing or chap sticks.

6. What do your parents/children (delete as applicable) think of your job?

Ey it would be funny if I had to delete both parents and children wouldn’t it? Actually no, that would be harrowing. My parents are very proud as well as very critical of me. They come to a lot of my shows and come to Edinburgh at least twice each year to see the show. They do so much in helping me organise props and my mum makes all of the Funz and Gamez merchandise so if you’ve got a T-shirt with a couple of Z’s missing or a cup without a handle, you can blame her.

7. What’s the worst thing about being a comedian?

Well the obvious one I suppose is the travel involved but I actually think it’s having to spend time with other comedians. I spend a lot of time alone and I hate my own company. Imagine having that hatred increased by “comedian’s drinks” or even worse, “an event”? We are genuinely the worst people in the entertainment business and when I say “we”, I mean “they”.

8. I think you are very good at what you do (that’s why I’m asking these questions). What do you think of you?

I think I’m hilarious but don’t take my word for it, take the word of “Ed Fringe review” with their army of 18 year old simpletons. I do actually think it would be very sad if a comedian didn’t think they were funny. Don’t get me wrong, plenty of comedians should think that they are dog shit but strangely they don’t and they carry on doing middle spots at the “Giggle Funky Lolz Shack” in Bradford until the day they die…. Alone. Why would you continue to do something you’re crap at? It makes no sense. That’s the very reason I no longer play football or try to forge a lasting bond with another human being.

9. How much do you earn and how much would you like to earn?

I make a lot more doing comedy than I did working in an airbags factory but I’d like to earn a little more so I can throw that extra cash into the well of debt I’ve accumulated through poor lifestyle choices and once trusting a man who made me believe that he actually owned one of the lions in Trafalgar Square. The bastard!

10. How important is luck in terms of career success – have you had lucky breaks?

I think luck is very important but that’s only a small part of becoming successful. You have to have talent (there are exceptions to this rule) but mostly I think hard work and having something to offer are vital to success (again there are bloody loads of exceptions to this rule). I had a lot of luck in 2014 with Funz and Gamez but essential[y its success was down to it being a bloody great idea with a great cast. Luckily my luck turned really quickly and within no time I was back at the “GiggleFunky Lolz shack” in Bradford where I belong.

11. Alan Davies has said that comedians fall into two categories - golfers and self-harmers. The former just get on with life, the latter are tortured artists. Which are you – or do you think you fit into a third category?

I’m just a sad man with a grudge.

12. Who is your favourite person ever and why – not including family or friends or other comedians?

Tom Cruise because he’s the best damn actor in the world and he’s rumoured to be a lovely man. Yes he’s made a few…. Questionable life choices but you name me a Tom Cruise film that’s unwatchable (pre-The Mummy. That film really fucked my argument recently). Tom Cruise makes every film at least 25% better. Imagine putting him in Minority Report…. Again! How good would that film be?

13. Do you keep your drawers tidy and if not why not? (please think long and hard about this question, it’s to settle an argument with my girlfriend. The future of our relationship could depend on your response).

I am a very tidy person. Almost creepily tidy but thanks to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy I do occasionally leave a dirty mug in the sink. However, despite all of my cleanliness I do actually just throw all sorts of random crap in my drawers with no order or consistency to each drawers content.