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24 September 2014
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|  |  |  | | It figures, now that I'm too old to squat, they're growing like weeds! |  |
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 | | | | |  | | | | | | Having It Off - BBC THREE.
We also chatted to Antony Cotton, who plays Guy, and who co-wrote the series with Sarah Moffett.
What is Having It Off about?
It’s about the oh so glamorous world of the provincial rinse and blow, de la mode, and think we could all benefit for some more rinse and blowing to be quite frank. ‘De la mode’, by the way, is your actual French for ‘ of the fashion’.
Where did the idea come from?
I wanted to write something hilarious and was discussing situation comedy with a friend after too much communion wine and instead of saying ‘hilarious’ I said ‘Hair-larious’ and thus, my beautiful baby was born.
What attracted you to the subject of hairdressing?
Because it’s the one world where a camp, vile homosexual is compulsory. I needed the work.
Why did you decide to set it in Eccles?
Because it sounds funny. Say ‘Eccles’ again and again and you’ll eventually lose the will to live.
How did your writing partnership with Sarah Moffett come about?
We worked together as actrines in the cosmopolitan centre of the universe, Stoke, and our friendship has been set in quicksand ever since. We work as best we can. We make do, as they say. It’s hard for Sarah because she was cruelly wounded at a gymkhana in Nottingham. She has a wooden leg but a real foot and finds the walk to the coach station a drag.
Tell us about your character, Guy La Trousse
Guy is a quick witted, short tempered, fast footed and limp wristed hairdresser from oop north, who dreams of being a television personality. Unfortunately he doesn’t have the personality for television.
Are the characters in Having It Off based on anyone you know?
Yes. All of them.
Did you always plan to appear in the series yourself?
Of course, although the BBC did petition for Julian Clary, Graham Norton, Lily Savage, Larry Grayson and Kenneth Williams.
Do you prefer acting or writing?
I actually prefer skiing.
What are your comic influences?
Sue Lawley, over dressed chalet maids, Dorothy Squires, Call My Bluff, the Queens Jubilee, Paul’s all night convenience shop, Holby City and the fact that the shame of living in a one roomed flat doesn’t stop me from entertaining at home.
What are you working on next?
I’m in the middle of writing something else for the glorious Red Production Company.
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