Comedy legend Ardal O’Hanlon spoke to the ECHO in an exclusive interview as he prepares to bring his new show to the Liverpool Playhouse
Ardal O’Hanlon spoke to the ECHO in an exclusive interview(Image: Southport Visiter)
Ardal O’Hanlon is conscious about how many stand up tours he has left in him. The comedy legend entered his 60s this year and has now been touring across the UK and Ireland consistently since he first stood behind a mic in the early 90s.
Although he has travelled many miles on the road, the Father Ted star has lost none of the love for making people laugh and is excited to return to Liverpool again on March 26 with his latest show, Not Himself. Ardal will be performing the show at the Liverpool Playhouse and can’t wait for a crowd of Scousers to hear the latest hour of material.
The Irishman told the ECHO in an exclusive interview: “I think I’ve enjoyed this tour more than anything [so far] and I suppose I’m conscious that I’m getting on a bit in life. I mightn’t be doing this forever and I’m relishing every moment of it so I’m looking forward to getting to Liverpool in March.”
The My Hero actor has performed in front of a Liverpool crowd many times across his glittering career and always knows he has to bring his A-game whenever he’s in Merseyside.
He added: “Liverpool audiences are very lively and Liverpool people like a good night out. So you definitely have to be on your toes as a performer. You can’t just rock up. It’s always been very enjoyable.”
He cites a show alongside some fellow Irish comedy legends at the M&S Bank Arena as the most special occasion from his times visiting the city. Ardal laughed the show was compered by a Liverpool-born comedian, who was on his way to becoming a household name.
He said: “We did a weird one in the [then] ECHO arena. It was a trial run for a show that was sold as ‘The cream of Irish comedy’. It was myself, Dylan Moran and Tommy Tiernan.
“John Bishop, just before he hit it very big, was the MC, so that was a high point I suppose. It was quite memorable.”
The comedy star admitted his only issue with that memorable night was the surroundings, as he thinks stand up doesn’t naturally lend itself to the huge open space of an arena.
Luckily for the comic, he will get exactly what he wants on his upcoming visit, as the Williamson Square Playhouse is a classic theatre where the audience is on top of you.
He added: “I don’t really like arenas as such for a comedy show, I don’t think they’re the best environment. I think you need a more intimate venue.
“The old music hall theatres are perfect. It’s so beautifully designed because everyone is quite near you. Even the people in the Gods. It just generates a much better atmosphere.”
The intimate surroundings will also perfectly suit the nature of the show as Ardal’s latest hour is billed as his most personal yet. The actor is renowned for his ability to do silly, with hilarious performances as Dougal in Father Ted emblematic of why he is so loved across so many generations.
However, his latest show will explore other serious themes such as politics and being a lapsed Catholic. He laughed: “It’s in the context of me being invited to an audience with the Pope, which is totally out of the blue, bizarre, surreal.”
It was during the coronavirus pandemic when he said he started writing the show and decided he wanted to address these topics, which have been a joy to perform across the nation so far.
He added: “Stand up is therapeutic. Certainly for the performer and, without overstating it, for the audience as well. I think it’s a public service.
“Just thinking out loud about s**t and sharing that with people. I think it’s a good healthy exercise.” He added: “Before [Covid], I was probably more careful about what I said on stage. You wouldn’t want to put a foot wrong. I’d be just more conscious by nature.
“Covid was a massive reset for me, as I’m sure it was for a lot of people. You realise this could all be taken away from you in the blink of an eye.
“As I get older, you get more bolder and throw caution to the wind. With experience as well, I’ve been doing this for decades. You just feel more confident about what you’re saying and a bit braver maybe, while never losing that surreal quality to it.
“I hate any artist, or comedian, who takes themselves too seriously and starts preaching to an audience. That’s definitely not me. I like to think it’s very fun and fluffy, but it’s got an edge to it and it’s got a real foundation and a bit of truth, as I see it.”
Ardal is grateful for the life he has had and cites his role in Father Ted as his proudest, as this is what launched his career and opened doors for him. The show’s legacy has been embroiled in controversy of late as creator Graham Linehan was in court this week.
He was cleared of harassing a teenage trans activist on social media but convicted of damaging the campaigner’s phone. Mr Linehan also took to social media last week to claim he has fallen out with the Father Dougal star, but the actor insists that’s not the case.
He added: “I have never got involved in that in anyway whatsoever. He thinks we’ve fallen out but I’ve never commented on anything publicly about it.
“I’m in the unfortunate position where I’m constantly asked about him and I say nothing. I don’t get involved in his crusade.”
Instead the comedian is looking forward to the future of what is coming next in his own career ahead of a jam packed 2026. In addition to his stand up tour, the Death In Paradise star is releasing a new murder mystery novel before he returns to screens in a new show for Netflix from Derry Girls creator, Lisa McGee, titled How to Get to Heaven from Belfast.
Ardal may be conscious he is entering the next stage of his life and career, but he certainly isn’t ready to slow down yet. The comedy star remains as creative as ever as he shared the keys to his longevity ahead of what looks to be like another exciting chapter.
The 60-year-old said: “I pinch myself that I’m able to hang in there. I’ve always worked hard at it. I get up every morning, I sit at my desk and I think, ‘What’s bothered me today?’
“I’ve been lucky enough that the shows I’ve appeared in have resonated with audiences, shows like Father Ted, My Hero and Death In Paradise.
“The main thing is that you just do an honest day’s work and then if people like it, they like it.” Ardal O’Hanlon is playing at the Liverpool Playhouse on March 26, 2026. You can find further details on how to get tickets here