Meet comedian Jack Skipper, the host of Epsom Social’s new Late Night Comedy Night, which is running once a month and bringing the best of comedy to Surrey. We had the pleasure of catching up with the 34-year-old funnyman and former carpet fitter (No 14 in Croydon according to Check A Trade) who has now moved to Epsom and made Comedy his full-time profession. Check him and his fellow comedian friends out on May 21st at Epsom Social, the only place to Eat. Drink. Chill. And now Laugh.
WHAT MADE YOU GO INTO COMEDY?
I always wanted to do stand up, I just got too nervous. I was actually only 31 when I first started. Typically, I was about to go to my first stand up gig then the pandemic hit. So I just started uploading videos to my Tik Tok and it was a happy accident really.
YOUR TIK TOK (425K) & INSTAGRAM (191K) FOLLOWING ARE HUGE NOW, HOW WAS IT FORGING A CAREER ONLINE FIRST?
It was probably the best thing that ever happened to me as I got to overcome my nerves and grow in confidence.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN ON THE STAND UP COMEDY SCENE?
Coming up to 2 years now.
WHAT’S THE BIGGEST VENUE YOU HAVE PLAYED SO FAR?
The Camelia in Brighton.
WHAT COMEDIANS INSPIRE YOU?
Micky Flanagan and the late Sean Lock was a legend.
YOU WERE A CARPET FITTER FOR MOST OF YOUR ADULT LIFE. DID YOU GET RIBBED FOR GOING INTO COMEDY BY YOUR WORKMATES?
Yeah, I was always quite embarrassed about telling people that I wanted to be a comedian. When you work on building sites they take the piss out of you for anything. “So you think you are funny enough to stand on stage?” i’d get. You really do get the piss ripped out of you!
HOW DID YOU JUGGLE YOUR DAY JOB AS A CARPET FITTER AND YOUR EVENING WORK AS A COMEDIAN WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED OUT?
It was hard. I was up at 6am and doing a full days work then going straight onto comedy gigs in the evening till midnight/1am…only to get up and go to work at 6am again… back in the van!
ARE YOU MISSING THE CARPET FITTING?!
Not at all. Hated it!
WHAT WAS IT LIKE BEING CROYDON’S 14th BEST CARPET FITTER?!! (ONE OF JACK’S SKETCHES)
It was alright. One of my greatest achievements to be honest. Got myself a little plaque!
HOW MANY CARPET FITTERS ARE THERE IN CROYDON?
15 Probably.
YOU RECENTLY MADE THE SUN NEWSPAPER WITH A SKETCH ABOUT 4 TYPES OF PEOPLE ON THE SCHOOL RUN, WHAT TYPE ARE YOU?
Did I, really?
YES, DATED 23RD APRIL ‘TIK TOK JACK SKIPPER GOES VIRAL’
Wow really, amazing!! Definitely the last one on my sketch – the hungover Dad!
YOU ARE PROBABLY ONE OF SURREY’S MOST FAMOUS COMEDIANS, DO YOU GET SPOTTED A LOT?
I do. Yeah, yeah…. but I have got a massive ego… so it’s fine!
HOW DO YOU COPE WITH IT?
Love it. I try and stop and chat. I remember what it was like recognising someone and being embarrassed to stop them as a kid.
WHAT IS THE BEST AND WORST THING ABOUT BEING A SURREY CELEB?
The best is meeting new people and chatting. The worst is when you know you look like a bag of shit and you’ve been spotted!
TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR NEW COMEDY SHOW AT EPSOM SOCIAL?
Well it’s great, love giving back to the community. Also as I get to pick all the comedians it’s like a Fantasy Football League where you’re picking your best team. Brilliant.
IF YOU HAD TO TAKE THREE THINGS TO A DESERT ISLAND, WHAT WOULD THEY BE?
I’d take my kids, something to entertain the kids and then something to entertain me. Crate of beer. Or Sienna Miller maybe.
IF YOU COULD PERPETUATE A MYTH ABOUT YOUSELF WHAT WOULD IT BE?
That I am Croydon’s 13th best carpet fitter.
WHO WOULD BE YOUR IDEAL CELEBRITY DINNER PARTY GUESTS?
Micky Flanagan, Sean Lock, Andy Peters (don’t know why) and Sienna Miller.
MOST EMBARRASSING ITEM IN YOUR WARDROBE?
My wigs that I use for Tik Toks. That’s embarrassing – a man with a collection of wigs.
WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE GROWING UP?
A Comedian. Never admitted it at the time.
BEST CHARACTER TRAITS?
I am actually very caring and have a sensitive soul.
DO YOU HAVE ANY BAD HABITS?
Yeah whenever I do the washing up I always leave the knives and forks. I can never be bothered with knives and forks….. nice big plates they are so much easier.
A cheese grater? Nah, leave that.
A GARLIC PRESS?
No chance!!
FRIDAY NIGHT OUT OR SUNDAY DAY IN?
Sunday day in chilling.
WHAT´S THE BEST THING ABOUT LIVING IN SURREY?
You can get into London quickly and to the seaside – you’re bang in the middle.
WHAT’S THE WORST THING ABOUT LIVING IN SURREY?
Cost of living.
BOOK NOW
Catch Jack Skipper and his comedy pals at Epsom Social, Surrey’s first food hall, once a month – next one Sunday May 21st. You can also book lots of other fantastic arts, cultural and live music events at www.epsomsocial.com – check out our calendar on page 11 for more fun on at Epsom Social this month.
