Shape I'm In: Jason Byrne, comedian

TAKING his cue from the Chinese year of the horse, comedian Jason Byrne is galloping through 2014, travelling over and back between Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Britain and Scotland.

In this jam-packed schedule he’s finding time to train for the New York marathon — it’s on November 2 — in aid of Temple Street Hospital.

Whether it’s his wonky eye or flaming red hair, his free-wheeling childhood underpins Byrne’s comedy act. From Ballinteer, Co Dublin, his father was a cooper in Guinness, while his mother stayed at home to look after their four children.

“There were thousands of homes in the area where I grew up. There could be between 50 and 100 kids in a field right next to our house. We had our first kiss and drink there — it was great,” he says.

Married to Brenda, they have two boys aged 13 and seven. “The boys don’t seem to have that much interest in what I do. I tell them I hope they are both going to college. Mind you, the little fella is particularly mental.”

Below he answers our questions with his trademark humour.

* Byrne is returning to Cork Opera House for a second gig on May 3. For details about his charity run see: www.mycharity.ie/event/jasonbyrne/.

What shape are you in?

I’m 42 and I’m in great shape, I run twice a week and do strength training with Stringer Fitness in Ashbourne. Saying all that, I am Irish, and no gym or hours of working out is ever going to get rid of that head. It’s a bit like Matt Damon, great body but very busy head.

Do you have any health concerns?

I’m a total hypochondriac. If I see a bump, lump or stump, I think it’s death come to visit me. You name it, I have that health worry.

What are your healthiest eating habits?

I love sucking on raisins ’til they shrink to half their size, it takes about an hour a raisin.

What’s your guiltiest pleasure?

Eating Twix bars, watching the telly, while dressed as Madonna — from her Vogue days.

What would keep you awake at night?

Screecher owls outside my bedroom window at night. We can’t move as I’ve a lease contract with the zoo.

How do you relax?

The same way every man relaxes, I run a nice warm bath, put candles around it, a bit of quiet music, oh, oh, wait a minute, sorry no I don’t, I watch black and white movies from Ealing studios.

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?

Donkey Kong, the Mario brothers and that posh bloke from the Monopoly board with the top hat and moustache, it would be all fun and games — it better be with that lot around.

What’s your favourite smell?

Freshly cut hair on a freshly cut lawn with freshly cut flowers lying on my chest.

What would you change about your appearance?

The whole lot of me, and then I’d pay doctors to rebuild me as a leopard.

When did you last cry?

When I caught my eyelid in the back of my eye while on a rollercoaster in Barbados.

What trait do you least like in others?

People taking their shoes off on a plane when they have smelly feet — keep your smelly feet for your rotten-smelling house.

What trait do you least like in yourself?

Casually murdering people who take their shoes off on planes.

Do you pray?

Yes, I believe in the lizard god, Amelie, who is coming to lay eggs on us all and judge us. I know it sounds crazy, but it’s my faith that gets me through.

What would cheer up your day?

A run along Bondi beach, but because I live in Ireland I close my eyes and run in my head, which is very good for you, I lost half a pound of brain doing that for a week.