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FIRST&LAST NISH KUMAR The acclaimed stand-up, host of The Mash Report and Question Time alumnus takes on our Q&A in which he discusses Salman Rushdie, Superman, social faux pas and skinny jeans
First record you ever bought What’s the Story by Oasis and The Great Escape by Blur. I was very much neutral in the central schism of Britpop. Last extravagant purchase you made A guitar. I don’t need it due to the thwarting of my ambitions to be the Jimi Hendrix of Croydon, so it must be classed as a luxury purchase.
First film you saw that really moved you Magnolia. Last lie you told That the first film that ever moved me was Magnolia when it was really The Lion King.
First crush Teri Hatcher in The New Adventures of Superman.
Last book you read Middle England by Jonathan Coe. First great piece of advice you were given ‘Don’t be a cunt’.
Last time you were starstruck Just did Travel Man with Richard Ayoade. I’m a huge Darkplace fan. He was every bit as funny and as charming as one could hope.
First thing you’d do if you ran the country Fire myself. Last meal on earth My grandmother’s fish curry.
First song you’ll sing at karaoke ‘Young Americans’ by David Bowie. First word you spoke No idea but it was probably something amazing.
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Last time you exploited your position to get something Free cricket tickets. No regrets. Last crime you committed Those skinny jeans were a crime against fashion.
First time you realised you were famous When a man shouted ‘oi Romesh!’ in a pub at me. First book you read for a second time Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie.
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Last time someone criticised your work I was on Question Time the other week. Feel free to search my name on Twitter. First three words your friends would use to describe you ‘He’s very loud’.
Last time you made an impulse buy and regretted it A pair of subsequently unworn skinny jeans. First concert you ever attended Bob Dylan at the London Arena (now a conference centre) in 2002.
Last person you fantasised about Most of my fantasies involve Brexit being stopped by The Avengers.
Last song you’d have played at your funeral ‘To Love Somebody’ by Nina Simone. First person you’d thank in an award acceptance speech My parents. They’d be furious if I didn’t thank them first.
Last thing you think of before you go to sleep Oh, probably just some social faux pas I committed about ten years ago.
First thing you think of when you wake up in the morning Let’s do this! Nish Kumar: It’s in Your Nature to Destroy Yourselves, Alhambra, Dunfermline, Fri 8 Feb; Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow, Sat 9 Feb; Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh, Sun 10 Feb. See more of this Q&A at list.co.uk.
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We may have featured Professor Brian Cox in this issue, but that doesn’t mean your interest in science has to stop. Happily, April is the month that the Edinburgh International Science Festival explodes into action with the theme of Frontiers, inspired by the 1969 Moon landings. Plus, we interview Bill Bailey, keep tabs on Scottish Ballet as the company begins its own 50th anniversary celebrations, and have our tastebuds teased with another Eating & Drinking Guide making its own dramatic landing.