Nick Mohammed: ‘Edinburgh fringe is flawed, but I adore it’

Comedian, writer and actor Nick Mohammed, 44, was born in Leeds to a Cypriot mother and Trinidadian father. He studied for a PhD in seismology at Cambridge University, joined the Footlights and got his comedy break on Radio 4. He’s best known for his double Emmy-nominated performance as Nathan “Nate” Shelley in Apple TV+ hit Ted Lasso. He has portrayed his alter-ego character Mr Swallow across stage and TV for two decades. His Show Pony live tour reaches the Edinburgh fringe festival this week. He lives in south-west London with his wife and their three children.

You’re currently on tour as your comic character Mr Swallow. How has it been going?

Really well. I was in Montreal recently for the Just For Laughs festival and was concerned that such a regionally British character might not translate, but it seemed to work. I tweaked bits that were too specific. I doubt they know what a Toby Carvery is in Canada.

Can you tell us about the genesis of the character?

It’s based on a female teacher I had during my GCSEs. I went to a bog-standard comprehensive school in Leeds called Abbey Grange. She taught us English and she just had this attitude, with distinctive mannerisms and vocal tics. I started doing her voice when I was 15 to entertain my mates and somehow it stuck. When I got into comedy at Cambridge Footlights, I did it in sketches and it spiralled from there. She was never aware of it and sadly passed away a number of years ago. It’s a homage, I guess.

As a long-term character to whom you’re totally committed, is he a bit like Alan Partridge?

I’d never draw comparisons because Partridge has legendary status, but I’d love to think it’s got lots of life in it. I’m now the age my teacher was back when she taught us. Maybe that’s contributed towards the success of Show Pony. There’s less disconnect. Steve Coogan is now Partridge’s age, so it’s sort of peak Partridge. Now they can just age together. I’d love to think that’s true with Mr Swallow as well. He’d suit being 70, still mucking about on stage.

At the Baftas you rollerskated on stage and did a spoof fire drill as Mr Swallow. How was that?

It was terrifying and traumatic. I unpack that in Show Pony, actually. I use screengrabs and break it all down, with pics of Christopher Nolan and Ryan Gosling’s reactions. Hollywood people were like: what the hell is going on and who is this? I was damp-shirted, damp pants, damp everything. It started off dreadfully but ended fine.

You play the London mayor in the new series of Slow Horses. Are you expecting comparisons to Sadiq Khan?

I mean, I don’t think they’re shying away from that. We joked about it a lot. I was a fan of Slow Horses before I was in it and read Mick Herron’s books when they first came out, so it was an absolute thrill. When you’re in a show that you like, you just hope you don’t ruin it. I remember going into Stath Lets Flats when it was already a success, thinking “Oh God, let’s hope I don’t kill this.”

You’re about to play the Edinburgh fringe. Is that a special place for you?

It’s where it all started. My first ever Edinburgh was with Footlights in 2004. The fringe is flawed as a model as it’s so expensive for performers and punters alike, but I adore it. The atmosphere and creativity is still inspiring. We go up as a family and the kids are old enough now to see shows.

Which fellow comics will you be checking out?

Tim Key’s at the top of his game. Every show is an absolute banger. David Elms Describes A Room is phenomenal and all improvised. Cat Cohen and Kieran Hodgson’s shows are amazing too.

Who’s the greatest standup you’ve ever seen live?

Daniel Kitson. I’ve never seen anything like it. He turns up minutes before the gig, goes for a poo, then strolls on stage with a cup of tea and absolutely kills it. Meanwhile, I’ll be in costume half an hour before, doing my vocal warmups, being pretentious and constipated.

In a parallel universe, are you a geophysicist?

That was Plan A. Comedy was Plan B. I read geophysics at Durham University, then a PhD in seismology [at Cambridge]. It was all geared towards a life of academia or working for an oil company, which didn’t sit well with me. When I joined Footlights, it ignited an inner fire and made me dare to believe that a career in comedy might be possible. When I got into the Footlights tour show, I had to take two months off my PhD. I had this romantic moment, walking away from the Bullard Laboratories [in Cambridge], knowing deep down I was never coming back.

This autumn, you compete in The Celebrity Traitors. What can you tell us?

Not much, but it was mad. I was hesitant about doing a reality show as myself, not in character, but when I heard who else was taking part, I couldn’t say no. When else would I get an opportunity to hang out with Stephen Fry, Claire Balding and all those brilliant people? Going into the castle for the first time, sitting at the round table, seeing Claudia Winkleman appear in those outfits – it was so camp and over the top. I adored it.

For information about Nick Mohammed's tour dates, see nickmohammedlive.com

Photograph by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images