Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Culture

Joe Pasquale: A comedian who won't get on your nerves

In our Summer Comedy Special, the biggest comedy legends of old share their favourite gags and funny stories

Why do we like to be by the seaside? Apart from the sun (occasionally) and donkey-strewn sand, it is the ‘end-of-the-pier’ stand-ups who stand out. These staples of summer seasons still populate the nation’s collective memory so we thought we’d bring together some of the greats for our Summer Comedy Special.

Joe Pasquale started out as an entertainer in holiday camps and before New Faces in 1987 started his TV career. He has just finished a tour as Frank Spencer in the stage adaptation of Some Mothers do ’Ave ’Em.

My earliest joke as a kid: I don’t eat winkles… they look like bogies with crash helmets!

My first big laugh on stage: Knocking myself out accidentally with the microphone. When I came to everyone was on their feet – my first standing ovation.

My breakthrough joke: On New Faces I started with a Spanish folk song called Amoosh z’do a’gee! Then sang the song How Much is that Doggie in the Window in a Spanish accent!

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

A joke from a comedy hero: (like Bernie Clifton) The line from my comedy hero Bob Monkhouse: “When I told everybody I wanted to be a comedian they all laughed at me… well, they’re not laughing now!”

My most recent joke: I went into the Age Concern shop yesterday, and as I went to the counter to buy something the man said, “How old are you?” I said, “56, why?” He said, “No reason… I’m just concerned!”

What do members of the public say to you most? They sing I Know a Song That’ll Get on Your Nerves to me!

Keep reading the journalism that powers our mission

Register free to continue and learn more about the stories, campaigns and the support we provide, helping people facing poverty across the UK.

Joe Pasquale celebrates 30 years in comedy with his tour Joe Pasquale: A Few Of His Favourite Things from August 15.  joepasquale.com

In our Summer Comedy Special some of the biggest comedy legends share their favourite gags and funny stories with us.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

Do you know how Big Issue 'really' works?

Watch this simple explanation.

Recommended for you

View all
Why we made controversial Channel 4 documentary The Experiment
Mat Fraser, Sophie L Morgan fronting C4 doc The Experiment
TV

Why we made controversial Channel 4 documentary The Experiment

Good Morning Britain weather presenter Laura Tobin: 'To save the world, we need to love it more'
Laura Tobin
PM for the PM

Good Morning Britain weather presenter Laura Tobin: 'To save the world, we need to love it more'

Lenny Rush: 'I cannot be farting in front of Gary Oldman. That can't be happening'
Lenny Rush as Valentine in The Reluctant Vampire
Interview

Lenny Rush: 'I cannot be farting in front of Gary Oldman. That can't be happening'

Willem Dafoe: ‘I want to have an experience that transforms or changes me’ 
Genden Phuntsok, Tom Hiddleston, Willem Dafoe and Benjamin Hoetjes in Tenzing
Film

Willem Dafoe: ‘I want to have an experience that transforms or changes me’