Katherine Parkinson: 'I dreamed I was riding a dog – it was quite beautiful'

The Bafta award-winning comedy actor and The IT Crowd star on the things that make her laugh the most

The funniest standup I’ve ever seen …

I remember years ago meeting Peter Kay at the Edinburgh festival. He gave me a free ticket to his show, and I went along and could not breathe for laughing. I watched it on my own, and I love that feeling being in a theatre next to people you don’t know, kind of knocking sides with them laughing.

The funniest sketch I’ve ever seen …

I don’t know if this counts as a sketch but I love Les Dawson when he sings Feelings. I’ve watched it so many times, I’ve shown it to my children … I cannot get enough of that.

The funniest person I know …

My children are hilarious. We left a cafe yesterday with some coffees and a cake and my daughter said to the woman behind the counter: “Remember, food is not a myth,” and then just did the “I’m watching you” eye gesture as she left.

The funniest item of clothing I’ve owned …

I’ve been told I have unconventional dress sense, and I think my daughters find me quite embarrassing. I’m currently wearing a very extreme pair of pantaloons. And I am quite into capes and ponchos. But I don’t wear them because I think they’re funny; I think they’re glamorous.

The funniest meal I’ve eaten …

I went to a dinner party where every course was goat’s cheese, but done in a different way; like in the starter, the main course and the pudding. It wasn’t funny so much as odd.

The funniest hairstyle I’ve ever had …

I try to have my hair regularly thinned because I’ve got very thick hair and it grows out like a triangle. I haven’t been able to do that because of the situation, and I am often asked if I’m wearing a wig.

The funniest dream I’ve had …

I dreamed I was riding a dog not long ago. That wasn’t funny, but it was quite beautiful.

The funniest number …

Whatever the number BOOBLESS is, I’ve just taught my children that.

Katherine Parkinson wrote and stars in Lights Up: Sitting, Wednesday 7 April, 10.30pm, BBC Four

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