Comedian and actor Nick Mohammed on Mr Swallow tour, Ted Lasso and his enduring love of magic

Comic Nick Mohammed on his character Mr Swallow and going from playing to three people to an Emmy nomination for Ted Lasso.

What’s your new show all about?

It’s a typical Mr Swallow show in that it’s about everything and nothing. It’s sort of about the origin of the character. There’s magic tricks in it, songs, it’s Mr Swallow showing off all his skills.

How do you reflect on 20-plus years of playing the character?

There’s an end-of-the-pier entertainment quality about him. Even though he can be irritating with his voice and his clumsiness he’s quite charming, a classic fool. The material’s quite tongue in cheek, not edgy or offensive.

One of the reasons I’m really enjoying it at the moment is that I’m at the age of the character now. I started doing it as a kid as an impression of a teacher I had. I clearly wasn’t the age of an old-school, past the sell-by date entertainer, whereas now I’m the age that Mr Swallow probably should be and the teacher was when I first started out.

Are you ever tempted to do stand-up as yourself?

No, I feel like I’d be absolutely terrified. It’s a lot nicer and easier to hide behind a mask!

This is your second tour, what did you learn from the first?

I learned to really love taking these shows out on the road and bringing it to people. It’s something really nice and pleasant when people have come to see you. Being on rollerskates on that tour, some of the stages were raked so the only way to prevent myself from falling off was to go round and round in circles! I won’t be doing that again.

How much are you looking forward to your Scottish dates?

I can’t wait. When I played Glasgow in the last tour it was one of my favourites. I’d never done a solo show there before. It was such a great crowd, quite raucous at times but in the best possible way. It’s also a real treat to head up to Edinburgh – I’m slightly daunted and excited by the fact that the Playhouse is one of the biggest theatres in Scotland!

It’ll be nice to be doing it during the Fringe as that’s where it all sort of started. I’m showing my age now, but I went up in 2005 with my first solo show. I still love it – 2018 was the last time I did the full Fringe. I love going up with you know my family for a weekend. It’s special for all kinds of reasons.

© Supplied by Matt Crockett / PR s

How special has magic been to you all your life?

It has been since I was about four years old, I remember getting the Paul Daniels magic set. Magic was my first love and it certainly gave me the performing bug. As I got into comedy, I’d put some magic in almost to make up for not having as much faith in the comedy. With more experience I took the tricks out because I didn’t need to rely on them as much. Now it’s quite nice I can pop them back in because they’re so suited to Mr Swallow.

How pleased are you to be getting more acting roles?

It’s been really fun. I particularly love the variety I’ve been getting to do which I’m so grateful for. You can flex different muscles at different times. A lot of it’s probably down to the success of Ted Lasso, it’s really nice that that can translate to people coming to see Mr Swallow or getting to do a film.

How did it feel being nominated for an Emmy for playing Nate?

I was going to get my Covid jab at the Science Museum and I came out of the Tube and my phone started going nuts. It was just surreal. I’d never even been to America before I went to the Emmys. That’s mad, isn’t it?

The show is a phenomenal thing to be a part of and it’s very odd in this business to be involved in something that’s quite life-changing. I’d never done any dramatic or emotional acting prior, so it was nice to try to do something a little bit unexpected.

You’ve got more film roles coming this year, how do you find working on these massive projects?

I certainly don’t get used to it and I think that’s from it coming a little bit later in life for me. It’s very important to stay grounded and not get too starry-eyed by the whole thing. I’m just keen to try my best at everything. I feel in a very privileged position, frankly, when you get to go to premieres or whatever.

How do your three young kids feel about you being a TV star?

They think everyone’s dad is on telly! When they were born it was all kicking off so they don’t know any different. They haven’t seen the struggle, the early bits performing to three people in a room in the Underbelly at two in the afternoon for a month. I make sure they know there are two sides to it.

Mr Swallow: Show Pony is at Glasgow’s Theatre Royal May 25 and Edinburgh Playhouse Aug 22, nickmohammedlive.com