Shape I’m In: Russell Kane swoops into Cork with a belly full of laughs

TOP British comedian Russell Kane is ripped and proud to show off his six-pack.

“I’m hoping the clothes will be torn from me by the Cork women,” says the 33-year-old of his show tonight.

It’ll be one of his last gigs as a bachelor — he is due to get married to make-up artist Lindsey Cole on May 17 — and he is looking forward to whipping things up to a frenzy.

Already divorced and just out of another serious relationship, he says had no intention of settling down until he spotted Cole in the front row of one of his gigs.

“She was wearing a fur coat so I stole it and started throwing it around the stage. I wasn’t ready to meet anyone but the girl was so breathtaking I started stalking her on Twitter.”

It was also on Twitter he asked her out on their first date — “for a Pizza Express”. Luckily, she got the joke.

* Russell Kane brings his new show Smallness to Cork Opera House tonight and Roisin Dubh, Galway, tomorrow.

What shape are you in?

Good. I’m 11 stone, which is bang on for my height. I’m sporting a six- pack. I’m not bulky, more like a slim toned figure. I try to exercise every day. I don’t go to the gym. I use my push-up bar. Today I did 4 sets of 80 press-ups and 4 sets of 80 sit-ups.

Do you have any health concerns?

Not really. If I’m going to get anything it’s my voice that’s affected. Because I speak so quickly and for so long. I strain my voice like a singer. I go through quite a lot of Vocalzone pastilles.

What are your healthiest eating habits?

They are all healthy. I have five meals a day. For breakfast it’s a spinach and mushroom omelette. Three hours later, I’ll have brown rice and steak and vegetables and for my second lunch I’ll have fish veg and brown rice. I’ll have another small meal before I go on stage, sometimes it’s a protein cookie. And I eat again when I go off stage, grilled chicken and salad. I take about 80g of carbs a day.

What’s your guiltiest pleasure?

Cheese. I would skip dessert and eat a bit of cheddar or a pot of Stilton.

What would keep you awake at night?

I don’t have any problems sleeping, Once I go to bed I sleep like a baby. I always get eight or nine hours sleep.

How do you relax?

That is my main personality fault. I’ve a projector screen in my lounge so once I shut the door and put a movie on, that’s me out for two hours. And I love fiction as well. I am listening to a brilliant book, it’s called, Look Who’s Back by Timur Vermes.

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?

Iris Murdoch, who I absolutely adore; Socrates the philosopher; Bill Hicks the comedian; my dad Dave who’s been dead 10 years; Flaubert the French novelist and Scott, one of my best mates.

What’s your favourite smell?

The smell of a new puppy’s head.

What would you change about your appearance?

I’d like to put half stone on, to be a little more muscular. And I’d like to be taller. I’m 5ft 10 — I’d be happy with 6ft. But I’ve had no complaints so far. If anything there is a waiting list. Being engaged doesn’t make the waiting list any shorter.

When did you last cry?

I cry a lot. So probably when I watched a sad film at the weekend.

What trait do you least like in others?

When people only care about themselves — that covers everything.

What trait do you least like in yourself?

Trouble in switching off.

Do you pray?

I don’t believe in God. But I do try and meditate every day for 10 minutes to get my thoughts together. I look at my day. I remember how brilliant things are in my life. How lucky I am.

What would cheer up your day?

If I got a picture message from Lindsey in Agent Provocateur underwear. I’d be on cloud nine. Men are so easy to please. That, or a free curry with my mates.