Byrne, baby, Byrne

Ed Byrne's routines have been described as "wicked", "dazzling" and "comic gold". Here, the quick-witted comedian talks to

This is London: So Ed, what's it like being an adopted Londoner?

Ed Byrne: I’ve lived in London for the last 10 years, and for the last five I've been in Muswell Hill. I moved down here because it is, without question, the best place in the world if you want to make a living as a comic.

Nowhere else, not New York, not LA, Toronto, Melbourne, Dublin, Auckland, nowhere has a comedy scene like London. I hate how hard it can be to get around and the fact that Muswell Hill doesn't have a Tube station. What was I thinking? The Comedy Store is still the best venue in town.

TiL: You had a pop at Alanis Morrisette at BBC Music Live for not understanding irony — did you get a frosty reception backstage?

Ed: No, Alanis was in a car on the way to the airport by the time I set foot on the stage. Shame.

TiL: So, are you ever worried about offending people in your routines?

Ed: I was slightly worried at BBC Music Live that Shane from Boyzone might have a go at me as I've said some pretty shady things about them in the past. Shane in particular, but no worries. I also did a pretty harsh routine about Shane McGowan without realising his girlfriend was in the audience but apart from that, not really, no. The people I slag off are generally rich or too famous to give a damn.

TiL: What about when people are criticising you - what’s the best and worst press you’ve had?

Ed: My first year doing a one-man show in Edinburgh, The Stage said I would make you want to fall in love with me and that laughter would feel as natural as breathing. That was very nice.

I generally don't read my bad reviews so I'm not sure what the worst ever thing said about me was. Gary Bushell once slagged me off for doing the same joke on too many TV shows. I thought that was a bit of a cheek because he stole some of my material once for a 'comedy' album he recorded. Git!

TiL: OK, clear this one up for all the guys out there, is it possible to laugh a girl into bed?

Ed:I think it's fair to say that over the years I have ended up going out with girls that a man of my looks, physique and charisma really shouldn't have managed. Being funny does help somebody like me punch above his weight class.

TiL: So do comedians get groupies? Have you ever been stalked by a crazy fan?

Ed: Comedians don't get groupies in the strictest sense. You do sometimes get girls who want to get to know you better and laughter is said to be quite an aphrodisiac, but really only musicians get groupies. I think, for most women, the ideal night would be to go for dinner with a comedian and then go and shag a rock star.

I did have a crazy drunk girl in New Zealand somehow get into my hotel and find out what room I was in. When I got back she was waiting for me outside my door. Luckily, she was asleep so I was able to go and stay elsewhere without her seeing me. I changed hotels the next day.