Ardal O’Hanlon, beloved for his role in *Father Ted*, recently shared a series of amusing anecdotes ahead of his upcoming UK and Ireland tour, titled *Ardal O’Hanlon: Not Himself*. The tour kicks off on November 15, 2024, coinciding with the second series of his show *Return to Paradise*, which airs on BBC1 in the UK and ABC in Australia.
During an interview, O’Hanlon recounted a rather humorous experience from his early career. He once fell asleep on stage at the Empire in Belfast, a renowned comedy venue. “I remember thinking I could hear someone doing my material, and getting annoyed,” he said. “At which point, I woke up and realized I was on stage. It was an out-of-body experience and quite terrifying.” This moment stands out as one of his biggest onstage disasters.
O’Hanlon also reflected on his early days as a comedian, tackling challenging gigs, including performances in prisons. He noted, “The murderers and thieves were great. It was an improv show, so you can imagine some of the suggestions.” However, he found engagements with sex offenders uncomfortable, stating that he did not feel he contributed to their rehabilitation.
On a lighter note, O’Hanlon reminisced about his time on *Father Ted*, where he portrayed the endearing character Father Dougal. Although he no longer possesses any of Dougal’s iconic knitted tank tops, he treasures a small painting of Father Stone, another character from the show. “I asked the costume designer for the tank tops, but I’ve given them away to charities over the years,” he explained.
In a light-hearted segment, he was asked about his most cringeworthy encounter with a celebrity. O’Hanlon recounted a humorous incident involving Van Morrison during an event in Dublin. While backstage, he found himself in the legendary musician’s toilet when a frustrated Morrison banged on the door, demanding his space back. “When I came out, he did vaguely recognize me and gave me what I can only describe as a very friendly head-butt,” O’Hanlon said, chuckling at the memory.
O’Hanlon’s comedic talents extend beyond stand-up, as he recently starred in the music video for “Invisible Thread” by The Divine Comedy. When asked what he would do if he were invisible for a day, he jokingly replied, “Probably go into everybody’s house on my street and rearrange their shoes.”
The interview also touched on O’Hanlon’s exploration of the Irish language in his show *Inis na nIontas*, which aired on TG4 in 2024. He expressed a desire to explore Japan next but acknowledged his limited proficiency in Irish. “I’ve got better Spanish than Irish,” he admitted.
As the conversation wrapped up, O’Hanlon humorously shared an unusual item residing in his fridge: homemade sauerkraut. “It’s still in my fridge, three years on,” he laughed, reflecting on the challenges of his pandemic project.
O’Hanlon’s tour *Not Himself* will continue until November 16, 2024, before returning in March 2026. The entertainer’s blend of wit and engaging stories promises to delight audiences across the UK and Ireland.
