Ardal O’Hanlon on comedy, trigger warnings, and life after Father Ted

From stand-up to movies to a new novel — Ardal O’Hanlon talks to Noel Baker

Ardal O’Hanlon: ‘Sometimes my opinions are too strong for public consumption.’ Picture: Matt Crockett

Ardal O’Hanlon’s new stand-up show is called Not Himself and, given the kind of early morning he’s had, you couldn’t blame him.

“I started off this morning with Good Morning Britain, which has to be experienced,” he explains down a Zoom line from what looks to be a storage cupboard in an industrial estate — though, mercifully, one that at least has a window. He’s been chatting to various media since 6am this particular morning, one which began with a grilling by telly doyen Richard Madeley.