Ardal O’Hanlon: Not Himself

Ardal O’Hanlon appears on the other end of the video call, his face slightly pixelated as he explains a sudden technical mishap. “I was on my laptop, but it just died,” he says. “Now I’m improvising. Fitting, isn’t it?” The irony isn’t lost on him; technology, its quirks, and its grip on modern life are central themes in his latest stand-up tour, Not Himself. 

For O’Hanlon, best known as the endearingly clueless Father Dougal from Father Ted, this isn’t just another round of gags. It’s a show born from reflection, wit, and his knack for finding humour in life’s contradictions. 

As we settle into the interview, I ask if he’s ever experienced a moment of serendipity in his career. He pauses, a hint of a smile forming. “You make your own luck, don’t you?” he says, his voice warm and lilting. “But the business is full of those moments. Like, years after working on Father Ted, Pauline McGlynn and I ended up playing husband and wife on a Sky show. You meet people, lose touch, and then, suddenly, they reappear in your life. It’s one of the lovely things about this work.” 

For O’Hanlon, it’s not just about luck but about being open to where life takes you. “Every day feels like an adventure,” he adds. 

It’s clear from the way O’Hanlon talks about comedy that it’s more than a career; it’s a lifeline. He tells me about a letter he received from someone in Dunblane, Scotland, after the town endured a terrible tragedy. “They wrote to say how much Father Ted helped them get through that time,” he says, his tone softening. “I wouldn’t claim my work heals anyone, but humour provides an escape. It’s communal, isn’t it? For an hour or two, we’re all in it together.” 

For O’Hanlon, comedy is as much about personal catharsis as it is about making others laugh. “Stand-up’s a great outlet for anger and frustration,” he admits. “I’d probably be a gloomy person without it. But for the audience, it’s about articulating those unspoken thoughts and sharing the joy of recognition.” 

The title of his new show, Not Himself, hints at a deeper exploration of identity. “During lockdown, I had all this time to reflect - who am I, what defines me?” he says. “Comedy’s often about identity these days, isn’t it? Race, gender, class, all of it. For me, it was about digging into how things like technology, aging, and upbringing shape who we are.” 

The creative process, he explains, is far from linear. “You start with your best jokes, little clusters of material. Over time, you notice links, themes emerging. It’s almost miraculous how it comes together. Suddenly, you have a show that’s richer than you ever expected.” 

As the show evolved, it became more personal and less reliant on his earlier comedic persona. “When I started, I leaned on this bewildered, surreal character, not unlike Dougal,” he says, laughing. “Now it’s more about being truthful, bolder, while still keeping it fun.” 

Live touring, he says, is the pinnacle of his work. “It’s the payoff for years of honing the material,” he explains. “The joy of connecting with audiences in real-time - that’s what it’s all about.” 

The pandemic gave him time to recalibrate. “After so much time off, I was itching to get back out there,” he says. “This show is about identity, yes, but also the absurdities of navigating today’s world as a man of a certain age.” 

Exeter holds a special place for O’Hanlon, not least because of a long-time friend who lives there. “He was the cameraman on Death in Paradise, and we had a lovely lunch before one of my shows,” he recalls. “I’ve performed in Exeter on nearly every tour I’ve done. It’s a city I’m always happy to return to.” 

As we wrap up, I ask what he hopes audiences will take away from Not Himself. His answer is quintessentially modest. “I just want them to have a good time,” he says. “If they leave happy and maybe thinking about a few things, then I’ve done my job.” 

Before signing off, he offers a genuine, “Thanks a million,” his Irish lilt as charming as ever.

Ardal O’Hanlon strikes me as a person who is humbly aware of the power of his craft. He finds joy not just in the punchlines, but in the connections his humour fosters with others. His new show, coming to the Corn Exchange, October 24, 2025, feels like catching up with an old friend who’s grown a bit wiser but hasn’t lost his knack for a good laugh. 

Much like Father Dougal pondering the difference between "small and far away," O’Hanlon deftly juggles the big questions and everyday quirks of life, leaving audiences both entertained and unexpectedly introspective.

His humour is a gentle reminder that while the world can be bewildering, a good chuckle shared is always grounding. If you walk away with a smile and maybe one of life’s little mysteries solved (or at least laughed at), then, as Father Dougal might say, "That’s mad, Ted!"