Happy Jack brings award winning show to the Vic

Q. You’ve proved yourself as a brilliant host since taking over from Humphrey Lyttelton on ‘I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue’. When did you first hear the show and what did you like about it?

A. I’d always been aware of it but started paying much more attention to it about 20 years ago. For me the show became a constant reminder that great comedy is a kind of structured silliness and a complete lack of self-importance.

Q. What are your favourite rounds?

A. I prefer the longer rounds as I can concentrate on my Sudoku.

Q. Are there any rounds you’d want to join in?

A. Mainly the one after the show in the bar.

Q. Will you be kind to Colin Sell at the piano?

A. Yes. So long as he doesn’t try to play it.

Q. Who is your second favourite of the regular players?

A. As host it would be improper to declare any likes or dislikes. People can sometimes mistake this for a complete lack of interest in the games or those playing them.

Q. How do you think radio comedy has changed over the 40 years that Clue has been running?

A. I like to think that it’s more sunny and optimistic and that that’s mainly down to me.

Q. Have you played the Victoria Theatre before, and what do you think of our local audiences?

A. I’ve played it many times and always had a great time although I’ve never been to Halifax when it’s not grey and drizzling. It suits me.

lBilling itself originally as the “self-styled antidote to panel games” - all of which are now long gone - I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue has been delighting fans since 1972. Since its inception ‘Clue’ has seen its success blossom from the impish son of ‘I’m Sorry I’ll Read That Again’ to the big daddy of all panel games.

The show’s pianist, Colin Sell joined Clue in 1974 and soon discovered that accompanying people who can’t sing was part of the joke.

Jack Dee is now the regular host for the radio series and shares chairman’s duties on the theatrical tours with Rob Brydon and others.