A Second Coming

The actor and comedian on his return to the stage for a Nativity with a difference

WHAT do the comedian Hugh Dennis, mountaineer Sir Chris Bonington and politician Ann Widdecombe have in common? They all worked for consumer goods giant Unilever before ditching the day job to follow a more celebrated career.

‘Imagine bumping into us three in the staff canteen—what an oddball and unlikely trio,’ remarks Mr Dennis. We’re talking as the Mock the Week star rehearses for the festive comedy The Messiah, his first stage play in 20 years.

‘Fortunately, I didn’t campaign for the retention of blasphemy laws or make the first ascent of the north face of the Eiger. I actually found it hard to leave Unilever because, aged 24, I was travelling the world and entrusted with millions of pounds to produce TV commercials.’

In the end, it was his boss who persuaded Mr Dennis it would be folly not to take up the offer of a sabbatical and appear in the radio comedy series The Mary Whitehouse Experience. ‘I’m still on that sabbatical, 28 years later,’ he says.

Fortunately, the world of toothpaste and hair shampoo’s loss has been light entertainment’s gain. Mr Dennis’s extensive CV includes the popular TV sitcoms Outnumbered and Not Going Out, plus the Radio 4 Friday-evening favourite The Now Show. He’s the longest-serving panel member on the satirical Mock the Week, appearing in every episode since 2005.

We’re talking after a full day of rehearsals, but Mr Dennis comes over as the same witty, sardonic character audiences have come to love; affable and charming, it’s easy to warm to his self-deprecating humour.