The more cynical commentators on our careers would say that the northern accent has been the basis of our success. There's a certain authenticity to the voice - which isn't to my credit; I was just born there.

That's the thing, you see, we were never good enough to write proper punchlines.

I'd always wanted to do something about football, so I did the podcast.

Having an audience in the studio makes you perform rather than just act.

Performing in front of an audience gives you an extra ten per cent energy and the chance to react to the instant feedback.

We can write idiots quite well.

Our new programmes have always just been different vehicles for the same sort of comedy.

Before I had my heart problem, if I was asked to do something I would look through a mental file looking for reasons why I could say no.

House of Fools,' that was the first thing I was sad that we couldn't do any more.

I've been brewing my own beer with this ex-army bloke.

I come from an era when if you are told that you need a triple heart bypass it sounds pretty terminal. But I think it's quite a normal operation these days.

I remember when I worked at the solicitor's - you'd go in, talk to your mates for a bit and then get down to work. With us the talking to your mates part never stops.

I don't know much about history.

There's nothing better than just staring at a buttercup, struggling to make an impact on the world.

I thought I had a chest infection and went to the doctor - five days later I was under the knife. It came completely out of the blue. My arteries were 95% blocked.

If you want the best audience, make your way up North to be honest.

After I had my heart operation I got really into heart stuff. I did think it would be lovely to go on 'Strictly' just so people could see I wasn't finished. But, sadly, now I couldn't because of my joints. I'd be hobbling around.

I hardly do any exercise because of my arthritis and my joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis generally happens when your immune system attacks your joints, but I've had it attack my iris.

Comedy, if it didn't save my life, certainly gave me a very different life.

After your heart fails, you just feel really vulnerable for a while. You just want telly and your little house. Then, suddenly, three, four months have passed.

Laughter is the only currency I've really ever known. Ever since I was a boy.

When I was young, having a heart bypass was, 'Woooh!'

At one point I was putting 17 sugars in my tea. I know it's unbelievable and I do wonder sometimes what my mum was thinking to allow it. The weirdest thing was that if I had 18 teaspoons it was too sweet.