British comedy icon Harry Enfield has spoken openly about the realities of ageing, revealing a significant hearing loss and how he navigates the modern world with it.
The challenges of deafness in a noisy world
The 64-year-old performer, famed for creating characters like Kevin the Teenager and Loadsamoney, told The Third Act podcast that his hearing has deteriorated markedly. He now finds public spaces, particularly restaurants, extremely difficult due to background noise.
Enfield explained that he frequently asks venues to turn music down, leveraging today's 'rights' culture to frame it as a disability issue. "These days, of course, you're allowed to say, 'I'm deaf, could you turn the music off?'" he said. "And then they're almost infringing on your human rights if they don't."
Silver linings and wild swimming discounts
When asked about the advantages of growing older, the multi-millionaire comedian admitted to happily exploiting pensioner perks. He detailed his daily wild swimming routine at the Highgate Ponds on Hampstead Heath, a popular spot with celebrities and hardy swimmers.
"I swim every day in Highgate ponds. I take my cap off and go, 'old age pensioner', put it back on, and that means I go in free until nine o'clock," Enfield revealed. He pays £2.90 if he's late, compared to the £4.50 charge for younger people – a small saving that brings him genuine pleasure.
A changed industry and lost 'drive'
The comedian also reflected on the evolution of the television industry since his 1990s heyday. He praised the late BBC executive Alan Yentob, who commissioned his most successful shows, for a hands-off, curatorial approach.
"He'd say, I want this, Harry, will you make me a show? So you then produced your show and he didn't interfere," Enfield recalled. He contrasted this with the current climate of extensive notes and management, which he finds creatively stifling.
Enfield attributed his step back from the limelight to a loss of professional drive, not talent. "As soon as my drive went... it wasn't that I wasn't funny anymore. I just wasn't particularly interested in doing stuff like that, or fighting for it and pitching," he stated, valuing his current peace over the relentless schedule of his peak fame.
