Comedian Harry Hill has publicly revealed the savage criticism he overheard actress Keeley Hawes making about him backstage at the BAFTA awards ceremony in 2008. The star of the popular ITV show TV Burp disclosed that despite his professional success, not everyone finds his humour amusing.
Backstage BAFTA Drama
At the 2008 BAFTA awards, Harry Hill was presented with his gong by Keeley Hawes and actor Nicholas Hoult. However, shortly after the ceremony, he overheard Hawes telling Hoult that she had never found anything Harry had said remotely funny. Hill recounted this incident in an interview with The Times, noting that Hawes wasn't the only critic he has encountered in showbiz circles.
Other Showbiz Critics
Harry Hill recalled another instance where he faced apparent disapproval during an ITV special called An Audience With..., which was supposed to feature a studio full of his showbiz friends cheering him on. He remembered television presenter Chris Tarrant sitting there scowling throughout the event, looking as if he had been dragged to a public beheading.
Career Highlights and Challenges
Harry Hill's TV Burp, which saw him comment on television clips in his uniquely comical fashion, attracted up to eight million viewers at its peak. However, the comedian clarified that he was not the highest-paid comedian in the UK during that time. He shared an anecdote about fellow comedian Peter Kay calling him once, fuming that tabloids reported he made £20 million from his last tour when he actually made £40 million. Hill emphasised that his own wealth was nowhere near those figures, but he remains pleased that his mainstream show was a hit.
Exhaustion and Paranoia
The show, which ran for a decade until 2012, pushed Hill to the brink of exhaustion due to its demanding six-day-a-week production schedule. He revealed that the stress led to moments of paranoia, such as when he discovered a hole in his windscreen and became convinced someone was trying to assassinate him. He attributed this to struggling with the pressures of fame and the intense workload.
Personal Life and Background
Interestingly, Harry Hill qualified as a doctor more than 35 years ago but decided to pursue a career in comedy after his stepfather, Tony, died of cancer in 1989 at the age of 55. This personal tragedy made him realise that life was too short not to chase his ambitions.
Marriage and Family
Hill has been married to artist Magda Archer since 1996. He admitted that when he first met her, he thought she was gorgeous, sarcastic, and clever, but it took him a full decade to persuade her that he might be a worthwhile partner. The couple splits their time between London and their coastal house in Kent, where they enjoy walking their two jackapoos, Snowy and Wilson.
Current Life and Reflections
These days, Harry Hill spends his time writing jokes and has left TV Burp to front his own YouTube show. He reflects that he doesn't mind no longer being a household name, honestly admitting that he didn't like the level of fame he once had. This revelation adds a poignant layer to his story, highlighting the complexities of life in the entertainment industry.
