Angela Barnes: ‘My perm looked like Little Bo Peep crossed with Margaret Thatcher’
The funniest standup I’ve ever seen …
Victoria Wood when I was 14. I couldn’t believe this one person could have so many people in the palm of their hand.
Related: The Guide: Staying In – sign up for our home entertainment tips
The funniest book I’ve ever read …
I love the Adrian Mole books. Sue Townsend was so sharp and observant and hilarious and took no prisoners.
The funniest TV show I’ve ever seen …
I don’t think I’ll ever tire of watching I’m Alan Partridge. He’s just such a perfect comedy character, the arsehole that you can’t help but root for. He’s so British it’s painful.
The funniest item of clothing I’ve ever owned …
I was a child in the 80s – this is an impossible question. My nan knitted my school jumpers, bless her. They were the right colour but a bit wonky and handmade. A bit like Mickey Mouse on an ice-cream van: all the elements were there, just a bit off.
The funniest meal I’ve ever eaten …
I was having dinner for the first time at an ex-boyfriend’s parents’ house. They’d never catered for a vegetarian before, and I sat down to some plain spaghetti with a tin of baked beans poured on top. I thought it was adorable – they’d tried.
The funniest hairstyle I’ve had …
A disastrous perm when I was 11, just in time for my mum’s wedding. I looked like Little Bo Peep crossed with Margaret Thatcher.
The funniest dream I’ve ever had …
Nothing is less funny than hearing people’s funny dreams, is it? I’ve had more laughs hearing people describe their surgeries.
The funniest thing that shouldn’t be funny …
Falling over. My biggest performing fear is stacking it on my way to the microphone, because you can’t recover from that. Nothing you say will be as funny.
The funniest word …
Oxymoron: it’s got a funny rhythm and cadence. And it’s one of the best ways to make a joke … “fun run”, “lad culture” and Fox News.
Angela Barnes plays Alexandra Palace Theatre, N22, 24 October; Rose Theatre, Kingston upon Thames, 1 November
