My Childhood with Neil Delamere: People assume I was the class clown, but I didn't draw attention

The comedian on his failure to achieve sporting greatness, the Irish comedians that inspired him to try stand-up, and the unwavering support of his parent that made it possible

Neil Delamere: 'Lots of people assume I grew up being the class clown, but I was shy of drawing attention to myself.'

Comedian Neil Delamere recently found one of his old school reports from fifth class. He chuckles as he says, “The teacher wrote that I was a nice boy who worked hard, but — and I quote — I talked so much it had to be seen to be believed. Surely, there’s a precursor there for my chosen career.”

Delamare was born in 1979 and grew up in Edenderry, Co Offaly. His father, John, worked for Bord na Móna, and his mother, Kay, had been in the civil service, but left due to the marriage bar.