DOUG STANHOPE spoke to The Quietus recently about his current UK tour, his latest DVD ‘Before Turning The Gun On Himself’ and his Twitter feud with Allison Pearson, amongst other things! You can read an extract from that interview below:

You’ve been engaged in a high-profile Twitter spat lately. [With Daily Telegraph columnist Allison Pearson, in which he was accused of “threatening her with cancer”.]

DS: Yeah. that’s been fun. I’m looking forward to seeing the police report on that one. The funny thing is it’s usually the other way around – a comedian says something stupid or shocking, and a reporter calls them out on it. Reversing the process is pretty enjoyable.

Is having an internet brawl when you’ve got a tour to promote a bit like a boxer trash-talking ahead of a fight?

DS: Oh yeah, it’s great that way. The publicity has been terrific.

You say on your website, “I should have done more benefit shows when I had the act for it.” Did you ever really have a benefit-friendly act?

DS: Well, I used to have an act. I’ve been talking to audiences the same way for 20 years. But it used to be more polished. It used to be that I could probably put together 15 minutes, if I really had to, that wouldn’t scare the hell out of the audience at one of those things. But now, it’s something you need to be acclimatised to. if you see my show for the first time and you’re not expecting it, it will not go down well.

Read the full interview on The Quietus by clicking here.

Click here to find dates and tickets for Doug’s current UK tour.

Point your mouse in this direction to pick up a copy of DOUG STANHOPE’s latest DVD ‘Before Turning The Gun On Himself’.