Joel Dommett talks ahead of Birmingham show

And his second place finish in November’s I’m a Celebrity . . . Get Me Out Of Here! brought him to a mainstream audience.

Now the comic is on the road with Live 2017, a solo show that reaches Birmingham’s Hippodrome tomorrow.

Joel was born in Gloucester but turns to the Black Country’s own Frank Skinner for inspiration. “I remember seeing Frank Skinner do a set at Banana Cabaret in Balham about a year after I started comedy. It was the kind of laughter that stuck with me and made me want to do this job for the rest of my life.”

Frank, however, is far from being the funniest person he knows. That accolade goes to his best friend, Steve. “He was my best friend in school and I spent my whole school life watching him. I wouldn’t be a comedian if it wasn’t for him; he taught me how to be funny. Steve is now my tour manager and we just drive around the country laughing and singing Linkin Park.”

Joel also loves TV comedy and rates It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia as the funniest show on the box. “I love how much you adore the characters even though they are horrific people.”

He takes a scattergun approach to writing new shows, throwing as much material at he can until something sticks. It’s an approach that works for him and in addition to extensive TV credits, he’s also enjoyed stand-up success.

“Since I’ve taken that stance I think my shows have been way better.

“A lot of people play it safe in previews I think, and that’s not what they are for, for me. You’ve got to put big ideas in that you have no idea if they’re going to work and just think ‘maybe this’ll be rubbish but here we go’.”

He enjoys trialling material at Edinburgh.

“I think, when you get to Edinburgh, your show has got to be completely malleable, and you have to be prepared for it to change into a different beast throughout the month. I didn’t really have an ending when I got here, now it’s got a bit of an ending, it’s getting there. There’s a few little bits and bobs that need a bit of changing but it’ll be alright in the end.

“I like taking silly risks instead of just talking, which is something a lot of people can do really well. I try and change my show every year, make it a different album every time. I think people don’t do that enough, some just do the same sort of thing but with different words. I like to try and mix it up as much as I can.”

Entering the jungle to feature in I’m A Celebrity took Joel’s career to another level. Sharing his ups and downs with a TV audience of millions made him a household name.

“I knew it was going to be a good experience but I didn’t expect it to be this much of a good experience. I didn’t know the highs would be so high and the lows so low.”

“I think I’m going to miss just the simplicity of the jungle and I think we talk a lot about his scary of is in the outside world – with news and social media – it’s so simple in there.

“When I left ‘the jungle’, I ate two whole cheesecakes – not slices, I’m talking full cheesecakes – and immediately threw them back up.

“I learnt that I should not be on my phone as much in real life. I’ve learnt to appreciate my priorities.

“I’ve got my priorities straight I think in terms of what family I should spend more time with and what friends I should not have as friends anymore. It’s been great, I’ve culled so many Facebook friends after I got out, it’s wonderful.”

l For tickets to see Joel Dommett at the Birmingham Hippodrome tomorrow visit www.ticketmaster.co.uk

Andy Richardson