Top comic Mark Lamarr is following in his Never Mind the Buzzcocks' captain Phill Jupitus on to the stage in Southend for his own show in March. He talks to CARL EVE

It's understandable that's people are wary, even scared, of Mark Lamarr, host of BBC TV's hit question show Never Mind the Buzzcocks.

His reputation precedes him and the stories about his almost legendary razor sharp and rub-salt-in-the-wounds wit are many. Like the one where Jack Dee turned to another comic while backstage, watching Lamarr attack a heckler for half-an-hour.

Jack, no wimp himself, turns to the other comic and, eyeing Mark as he laid into the hapless member of the audience, says: "I think I would have stopped after five minutes."

"I think that was Eddie Izzard, not Jack. And I don't think it was half an hour. But yes, it does sound like me," says Mark. But the Swindon-born comic who started his stand-up career back in 1985 by reading self-penned funny poems doesn't think it harsh or cruel and says he's got every right.

"Well, for starters, what are you doing? Why are you interrupting a comic you've paid to see? It's like going to watch a band and bringing a guitar. Secondly, I'm the boss - it's my show. It's not being aggressive."

Mark was talking to me while halfway through his 40-date national tour, which includes Southend's Cliffs Pavilion on March 9.

He denies he has stock put-downs and is positively proud that some of his old off-the-cuff retorts are now used by younger comics: "I was watching a programme about comedy and they were talking about put-downs. This guy then named a few he used and I was amazed - they were my old ones.

"It's like I've passed on a legacy. When you're younger you hear a good line and you think 'That's good, I'll use that' and now younger comics are doing it with my material. I feel like a proud grandad. Sometimes I just want to go up to them and say 'that's mine' - I'm not upset, but I wouldn't mind the due respect."

The number of Mark's telly appearances is close behind the likes of the Carols Smillie and Vorderman, what with The Word, Reeves and Mortimer's Shooting Stars, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, plus hosting Top of the Pops, Edinburgh Nights and Radio 2's Shake Rattle and Roll series.

But he says stand-up is the place where he's "absolutely, 100 percent at home".

"I've been doing it for 15 years, what with the early days of poetry and then comedy. I'm at my best when I'm ad-libbing on stage. It's where my confidence comes from.

"And I'm always writing material. By the end of the tour it can be a completely different set. It's a constantly evolving process - stand-up is a work in progress."

He accepts he's become famous through television but the be-quiffed rocker denies he's become part of the TV personality set.

"I never think for a second that I've lost any credibility along the way. I mean, the worst show I was offered was a kids Hearts of Gold-type of programme with Richard and Judy.

"I've no idea why they asked me. I'm just not part of that TV personality niche. I'm not Jamie Theakstone, I just happen to work with those sorts of people.

"If they started to order me to do those kinds of shows it would be the death of me."

But he does retain the highest respect for his co-stars on the Buzzcocks - Southend's own Phill Jupitus and Sean Hughes.

"We're not mainstream comedians - we're more the sixth-form Clash no-sellout types. But while me and Sean are single hobos, Phill is the family man who could just as easily do the London Palladium and do it well."

Did the Sony Radio award-winning comic-cum-Radio 2 presenter, who will soon have a new series on reggae music, ever himself want to be in a band? He plays a mean harmonica, as witnessed in Southend when he made a guest appearance at Phill Jupitus' gig.

"God no!" he exclaims. "I don't want to end up on one of the Buzzcock's line-ups for forgotten musicians.

"I just love music. Me and Phill often say we can't believe how lucky we are - we both love music and comedy and we get paid to do a show which combines the two."

As for his sometimes-vicious attacks on the Buzzcock's guests he thinks he's often justified.

"There's talk about me reducing Gail Porter to tears, but if you watch the show I gave Marianne Faithfull a much harder time.

"It's my job to keep the show on track. But the number one rule of the show when it's edited seems to be if someone takes a pot at me, it stays in. I don't mind though. In the end, I always win because I give out the points!"

Did any of his own musical heroes end up on the series?

"Of course, but it's not up to me. Surprisingly, Mark Owen of Take That is always good and Boy George is always the best - he's funnier and quicker than many comedians.

"Richard Fairbrass of Right Said Fred is another quick bloke too. I like the fact that some musicians who come on have got a great sense of humour.

"There's genuine warmth when they're on. Like the guys from Asian Dub Foundation.

"Fair play to them - they're cool but prepared to take the risk and be on the show and it's because they're nice fellas.

"Some people even ask to be on the show. Scary Spice actually came up to me and demanded to come on. I mean, fair play - it's not like she'll get paid a lot and how much did she need to come on to get coverage? Simon le Bon was another guy who actually asked if he could be a guest."

So, should Southenders expect a tirade of abuse along with their comedy when this paricular '50s throughback comes to town? It appears the seaside town actually has a special place in Mark's rockabilly heart.

"When Phill did the Cliffs a few months ago I said I'd come on stage and do a bit with him. The roar from the crowd was amazing.

"It was such a lovely reaction, so I'm looking forward to coming back. Maybe Phill will turn up on stage at my one this time."

Mark Lamarr is at the Cliffs Pavilion, Station Road, Southend on March 9.

Point of order - Mark Lamarr (right) chairs the funny music quiz Never Mind the Buzzcocks, with Sean Hughes and Phill Jupitus as team leaders (left)

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