Les Dennis

02/04/2009

Impressionist, comedian and punch bag for Ricky Gervais

If I knew then... What would you say to your 16-year-old self if you could go back in time? We ask another well known celebrity to offer their younger self some words of wisdom.

At 16 I was already a semi-professional entertainer. I’d worked up an act and performed at Butlins and working men’s clubs. I used to watch the Royal Variety and think, wow – Jimmy Tarbuck, to me, was the fifth Beatle. And as I came from Liverpool I thought maybe I could be like him.

If I met my 16 year old self now I’d be looking at a shy, awkward boy who looked more like 13 than 16 – I’ve always looked younger than I am. And I’d be puzzled that he could then get in front of a microphone and try to make people laugh – it would be amazing how performing brought him to life. That’s still true of me.

I’d reassure my young self that romance will eventually come his way – but it will be a mixed bag (Les has been divorced twice, including from actress Amanda Holden in 2003). I’d had no luck with girls at all at 16.  I was full of teenage angst. My classmate Colin Flynn seemed to have girls falling over him and I used to lie at night and think ‘Why him and not me?’

I wish I’d understood how lonely stand-up comedy could be. Working the old variety circuit was pretty solitary. Almost by accident I got a partner, Dustin Gee in the early 80s and then I did begin to enjoy it. But it’s a brave thing to do. They say that every time a comedian goes on stage they suffer trauma equivalent to a minor car crash.

If I could go back to 16 I might choose a different path. I’m now forging a career as a serious actor and wonder where I’d be if I’d pursued that from the start. And I did have a chance – I auditioned for Ken Loach when I was at school and I heard that I was in the frame for a role. In the end the film never happened, but I do sometimes look back and think ‘ What if..?’

I’d have to tell the 16 year old Les that life won’t all be plain sailing and he will hit rocky waters – but he will turn out to be very good at bouncing back. Some people have done bad things to me but its very important not to be bitter. It’s very hard, and for a while you will be bitter, but you have to get rid of it. The best way to do it? Write a book! Because then you look back and think, you know what – nobody died.

Interview: Jane Graham