Fred MacAulay is one of Scotland’s best known faces. A top comedian, he’s compered London’s legendary Comedy Store, is a regular guest on Have I Got News For You and has hosted his own show on BBC Radio Scotland since 1997.
Before finding success on the stand-up circuit though… he was an accountant!
We caught up with the multi-talented Perth native to find out more about his career history and how he balances his current roles.
When people imagine what comedians did for a living before making people laugh, the word ‘accountant’ probably doesn’t figure very often. How did you get from balance sheets to compering at the Comedy Store?
I was lucky because festivals started having “So You Think You’re Funny” competitions. I entered the Mayfest 1988 one. That was the first time I’d ever stepped onto a stage with a microphone in my hand. Then it was a case of finding as many gigs as I could and at that time it meant going to London. I used to drive down on a Thursday or Friday then back home on the Sunday.
At what point did thoughts of getting onto TV or radio make it onto your radar?
New comedians were always aware that television ate up your material, I was wary of doing stand-up on TV. One of my first regular gigs was as studio warm-up for Have I Got News For You and I knew a few of the comedians who were getting booked, so I wanted a spot on that show early on. I got my first spot in May 1995.
You’ve been a host on Radio Scotland since 1997, do you still see comedy as your bread and butter or has radio now taken over?
I still describe myself as a stand-up first and foremost. Live radio comes a very close second though.
A lot of people have two jobs but late night stand-up gigs and a morning radio show sound like a tough combination. How do you get through?
It’s alright as long as you keep control of your diary. Some of my best radio shows have been when I’ve been terribly sleep deprived though!
There are obvious transferrable skills from stand-up to radio… but are there any skills that you’ve found yourself taking from accountancy into those roles?
Not exactly into the roles, but I think a basic business understanding would be really helpful for a lot of comedians. You should always be aware of your worth. There’s been a recent trend for established comedians to do free gigs in the hope that someone might spot them and it’s good exposure. Try that with a joiner who’s coming to mend your front door!
Accountant, long-running radio host, TV presenter, successful comedian. That seems like a pretty good haul, but are there any other career ambitions that you haven’t yet fulfilled?
I had clear ambitions when I started. I wanted to MC The [Comedy] Store. I wanted to get onto TV panel shows. I wanted to do a theatre tour. And bizarrely I wanted to host a Hogmanay TV show. I managed all of those. If I was starting out now, I guess the ambitions would be to do an arena tour or do “Live at The Apollo”, but I reckon I’ve done OK.
What advice would you give to anybody taking their first steps in stand-up?
I’ve been asked this many times and the answer is always the same…..do what you can to get as much time on stage as possible. Initially that might mean open [short, unpaid] spots, but once you start getting paid, you’ll appreciate the road miles you’ve put in.
And in accountancy?
I’m aware of this thing you mention, but it means nothing to me……
Fred presents MacAulay and Co weekday mornings from 10.30am to midday on BBC Radio Scotland. You can keep up with what else he’s doing by following him on Twitter.