Simon Brodkin is a trained doctor, a husband, and a father.
Hardly the makings of a controversial stand-up comedian, you might think.
However, his on-stage alter ego, Lee Nelson, briefly stood as a candidate in the South Shields by-election, invaded the X Factor stage to perform alongside Stereo Kicks, and warmed up with the Manchester City players.
Nelson started his life in trackies and a baseball cap, but in his new tour, entitled ‘Suited and Booted’, he’s opted for a more grown-up look.
The trainers have gone to charity, and he’s donned a shirt and tie.
The look is obviously proving to be a popular one, given the 27 extra dates that have been added to his run.
To find out more about the new look, Sara Royle chats to Lee ahead of his gig at Crewe Lyceum on April 19.
SR: So, how’s the tour going?
Lee: Amazing! Phenomenal. Next level. Really good. Just added I think, 30 or 40 extra dates. The love’s there!
SR: What are your audiences like, do you appeal to an older audience or is it mostly a young crowd?
Lee: I do, that’s what I like about it. I’ve always had a soft spot for the older generation. My Nan pretty much brought me up and she’s nearly 40! Basically I’ve always had a lot of love for older generations and that’s what this show’s about, welcoming everyone. I dunno if they can hear a lot of the show but they can just read the programme over and over again. Last night in the audience I had a 14 year old and an 82 year old!
SR: Well you have lost your baseball cap, surely you’re a grown-up now…
Lee: Too right, sweetie pie! I don’t know if I wanna go around saying I’m a grown-up, but I have grown up. I thought it was about time, I had my thirteenth child and I thought I’ve got to up my game. Got rid of the Reebok Classics, the shorts, the cap, and given them all to a charity shop. I imagine I’ll see them on a Comic Relief appeal in a few years time, some impoverished kids in an African village wearing them. I’ll be like “I gave that to them legends!” Y’know I took myself down to Topman and I tried on a well expensive suit and y’know…ran out the shop with it.
SR: You talk about your son quite a lot on your tour, so has he seen your show?
Lee: I make him watch my DVD all the time, ever since his mum says he don’t see enough of me. So yeah…I love my little boy so much. I’m taking him blackberry picking today actually. We’re going to the Carphone Warehouse.
SR: And what does he think, is he proud of his old man?
Lee: Aw that’s such a nice question sweetie pie, is he proud of me? I hope he is, I really do hope he is. I don’t know really, we never sort of talk about it because I’m just Dad to him, d’ya know what I mean? Well stepdad, sometimes. I’m proud of him, y’know? I hope he’s proud of me. We do have a proper giggle together.
SR: So, obviously you’re going to be going all over the country.Where are you most looking forward to visiting?
Lee: Well I don’t know a lot about a lot of places. I know about London and I know about Reading. We had reading classes at school. Crewe is definitely up there, I love the Crewe bunch! I love coming to Crewe, always puts my own problems into perspective. Haha, no I’m looking forward to Crewe. Crewe people are always really friendly. I like travelling everywhere, that’s the nice thing about being on tour. From a family point of view you spend a lot of time away from home…just had a little baby actually, so that’s a good result.
SR: Lovely, congrats! So, after the devastating news about One Direction have you been thinking about a career in music after your infamous Stereo Kicks performance?
Lee: Definitely! I’ve got experience there with Stereo Kicks. So I’m saying One Direction – who I know for an absolute fact, wherever they are in the world they make sure they’ve got a copy of the Nantwich News – this is my call out to them: I’m ready to join. I’m ready to get called up. I’m ready to be in the world’s biggest – soon to get bigger if I can join – boy-band.
NN: And not only are you musically gifted, but you almost went into politics, didn’t you?
Lee: Yes I did! Basically what happened was, I’ve always felt I’ve got what it takes to be Prime Minister ever since David Cameron left his kids in the pub. I stood to be an MP when Dave Milliband went off to America because he was so annoyed his brother was more popular than him. Unfortunately I had to pull out after only a few hours, ‘cos you ain’t allowed to stand for election when you’ve got a TV series on the BBC. I think it’s to stop anyone from Top Gear ever getting any power. So I’m pretty gutted to be honest, I was really looking forward to having a second home and claiming millions in expenses.
SR: Well if you’re not running for election, then who are you going to vote for?
Lee: I don’t know really. UKIP, I don’t really like UKIP. They’re saying we’ve got too may foreigners in this country. I’ve done some research, the fact is, there’s a lot more foreigners in other countries. I agree with UKIP on the euro, don’t think we should get the euro. Poundland would be screwed, wouldn’t it?
SR: David Cameron?
Lee: Listen, I don’t know sweetie pie. I like Boris Johnson. I like Boris bikes, I’ve got about six of them at home. As for the others, they all come across as the same, don’t they? They all went to the same posh schools, they all went to the same posh universities, and if you think that’s bad, every Prime Minister this country’s had has lived on the same street!
SR: Well good luck with the rest of the tour!
Lee: Thank you! Everyone’s welcome along to this one. I cover so much in the show, even feminism. I am a feminist. I think there’s too much famine in Africa. I talk about Page 3, which is interesting. Some people think it’s good, some people think it’s bad. My missus done Page 3 actually. Yeah, she’s big actually. She went on to page 4! All these topics, I’m talking about in my brand new show. New look, brand new outlook. Get yourself down there!
Lee Nelson will be performing ‘Suited and Booted’ at Crewe Lyceum Theatre on April 19. Tickets are available online and at the Box Office.
Recent Comments