Charlie Higson: “By my mid-20s, I was drinking beer. It’s now the most essential part of me | Life & Style
forIn Somerset, Charlie Higson, 67, co-created, wrote and stars in The Fast Show, alongside Paul Whitehouse. The duo is celebrating the show’s 30th anniversary with the An Evening With the Fast Show live tour, which runs from November to January. Higson’s novels for children include the Young Bond series and The Enemy. In 2023, he launched a history podcast called Willy Willy Harry Stee, and his book on the famous rhyme has just been published. He is married with three children and lives in London.
What is the trait you hate most about yourself?
I can be horribly arrogant and conceited, and yet I always have the thought in my mind that things could go terribly wrong at any moment.
What is the trait you hate most in others?
aggression. Anger. rudeness. intolerance. Lack of understanding. Pretty much your average day on X.
What is the most embarrassing moment for you?
I’ve licked myself in public three times. It’s not as bad as you fear.
Aside from possessions, what is your most valuable thing? Bought?
Three mature palm trees. We were renovating a property in Italy that was derelict and I needed to get it looking stable as quickly as possible.
What is your most prized possession?
Other than palm trees? My wife is an amazing graphic designer and letterpress printer. For my 50th birthday, she made me a small bookcase containing 50 books, about different aspects of my life.
Describe yourself in three words
Middle class whore.
What makes you unhappy?
I’m not very happy about the appearance of outright bigotry and prejudice. We’ve been through this before, in the 1970s, so hopefully we can get through it again.
What do you dislike most about your appearance?
In my early twenties, I was great. By my mid-twenties, I developed a desire to drink beer. It is now the most important part of me.
Who will play you in the movie of your life?
I once auditioned for the role of Hugh Bonneville’s lookalike. I didn’t understand the role, but apparently someone thought we looked alike.
What are your most unattractive habits?
I pick my nose when no one is looking.
Who is the celebrity you admire?
Some say that heterosexual men don’t find Nicole Kidman sexy. They are wrong.
What is the book that you are ashamed not to read?
I used to give a great lecture on Frankenstein and Dracula, but I was never able to finish either book.
What is your greatest pleasure?
Nutella sandwich with white bread.
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To whom would you most like to say sorry? And why?
All the kids I didn’t respond to who wrote lovely letters about my books.
What does love look like?
Being wanted.
Have you ever said “I love you” Didn’t he mean that?
No. I’m quite taciturn.
What words or phrases do you overuse?
I’m writing a book at the moment and I seem to be using the word “but” a lot. It helps with rhythm, but I spend a lot of time checking and removing it. there! I did it again.
What is your biggest disappointment?
I’m a classic whiner.
How often do you have sex?
I can’t tell you, my wife might have read this (joke, honey).
What is one thing that would improve your quality of life?
secretary.