Hugh Dennis - join the actor and comedian for live webchat on Wednesday, 17 December, 1.30-2.30pm

[RachelMumsnet]

Last Christmas we brought you Idris Elba and this year we're delighted that comedian actor and Outnumbered's long-suffering dad Hugh Dennis is joining us for a pre-Christmas webchat this Wednesday (17 December) between 1.30 and 2.30 (no pressure there Hugh )

Hugh is just back from Myanmar (Burma) with the international anti-poverty charity ActionAid to highlight child poverty this Christmas.Hugh now sponsors 5 year old Lae Yi Soe in the ‘dry zone’ region of Myanmar and he got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet her and her family and to see the difference ActionAid is making to her and so many other children in the area.

Come and chat to Hugh this Wednesday 17 December from 1.30pm or if you’re unable to join us at that time, post your questions to him in advance on this thread.

ActionAid has launched an urgent appeal to find UK sponsors for 2,700 children in countries affected by extreme poverty and war to help give them a future. Click here to find out how you can help.

The Red Cross have had to launch emergency food aid plan in the UK for the first time since World War 2. Save the Children estimate that 5 million children will be living in poverty by 2020 the highest levels since records began and Shelter's figures show that 90,000 plus children will be homeless this Christmas. Homeless children are at significant risk of mental illness. Do you think celebrities in the UK should highlight the plight of children living in poverty in the UK?

Hi folks,

Just a quick reminder that webchats are sort of like having a guest in your front room for the afternoon, and we'd appreciate it if you could post as such!

Hello!

I'm here at Mumsnet Towers looking forward to answering your questions.

@Bicnod

I am a little bit in love with Hugh Dennis

I also love ActionAid and would like to ask Hugh what he thinks makes ActionAid different from other international development charities?

To be honest it's the only international development charity I have any close knowledge of. What I do know is that they are very good and that the money you give in child sponsorship goes to the right places and the right causes.

Hi Hugh

What interested you in supported children in other countries rather then here in Britain?

Also, loved your last tour a couple of years ago as punt and dennis - any plans for another one?

what? I missed any rude posts, I thought it was all quite tame and friendly?

Hugh, I love the banter and absurd humour between you and Dara, are you friends in real life?

@MagratsLongWhiteBeard

I'm going to lower the tone quite early on & exasperate all of you who are asking serious grave questions about charity work :)

Hugh - welcome to mumsnet. You have been around for years & I remember you popping up on various comedy panel shows before Outnumbered. How old are you? I guess between 35-65 but you have an ageless face. Come on now, be truthful :)

PS you look all rugged with a beard!

You're right, I am between 35 and 65! I'm just over halfway between the two - I'm 52.

Thank you for liking the beard. I'm hoping to get cast as a replacement for Mr Selfridge! (That's a lie.)

@PseudoBadger

I think you're fabulous. Do you by any chance, during the 90s, remember a teenage girl at Gatwick Airport shopping village spotting you and saying to her parents "oh look! It's what's-his-name!" well within your earshot?

Hi there,

I'm afraid I don't remember that specific time, where were you travelling to?

I am just going to throw another question at you, feel free to ignore.

I think you have it in you to play a really good evil villain, any roles like that coming up by any chance?

@HairyPotter

Yay!! I adore you

I came to see you about 20 years ago when you did the Milky Milky tour with Steve Punt. I'm sure you will remember me from the front row in Glasgow!

I need to come up with a question don't I?

What has been your most enjoyable part of your career? Do you have plans to tour again? Can you make sure you come back up here?

I think I've enjoyed Outnumbered more than anything else, just because it felt like being in a family.

I tour with Steve Punt every three or four years, I think we missed Glasgow last time but may try next time!

When is the Mary Whitehouse Experience coming back? (old person post)

@wannabestressfree

I always see Hugh (I think he's great :D) as being a proper family man and having the balance right. By that I mean he always seems to be working but not in the '100 date tour make a million quid at the 02' sense.

So I suppose my question is, lovely Hugh, do you have any regrets about the way your career has panned out?

No, I have no regrets about it at all. I'm very lucky and I don't have any aspect of my life that I can justifiably complain about.

I can't think of a question.

Hugh is fab though, as is Outnumbered.

Who would you invite to your perfect dinner party?

What's your favourite ice cream flavour?

@Surreyblah

Am a big outnumbered fan!

The London terrace house is like my dream house. DH gets fed up with my house envy/moaning when watching the programme from commuterville. Please tell me it was a set and not real/is actually really horrible!

It wasn't a set, it's a real house in Wandsworth and while we were filming the real family were still there but upstairs and occasionally scenes were interrupted by the actual owner of the house wanting to take his dog for a walk. I was never sure though, on a teacher's salary how we actually afforded it.

How wonderful to have you here, Hugh!

I am a huge fan of Mock the Week, and especially love your 'outtakes' where you are pretending to be drunk - plus, as others have said, the interplay between you and the other regulars on the show.

Are you all good friends, as you seem to be?

@TiggyD

As an aspiring comedy writer, what's the best way of forcing people to read a script/notice my genius? Blackmail, bribery or threats?

< Resists urge to copy and paste 40 pages of a sitcom script. >

< But will if provoked. >

It's very difficult and very competitive but the thing to do is to keep plugging away. I started by sending scripts into BBC Radio where they are very good at reading them, and when they send you a reaction letter it's a very polite one!

Good luck, keep going.

@LineRunner

What do you think of Russell Brand? Be honest.

I like Russell Brand.

@CatCushion

Hugh, do you find yourself coming out with lines that could easily feature in Outnumbered, in real life? I certainly do. Although AbFab is probably nearer the mark in my case

Sometimes I guess. I think in all characters you are playing something of yourself although I've always been relieved that when my own kids watch Outnumbered they never say "you're exactly the same as your character!".

@PuppyMonkey

When is the Mary Whitehouse Experience coming back? (old person post)

I don't think it's ever coming back, and I'm not sure it's ever going to be released on DVD either sadly. Probably a good thing, I remember the shirts I used to wear!

@SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius

How wonderful to have you here, Hugh!

I am a huge fan of Mock the Week, and especially love your 'outtakes' where you are pretending to be drunk - plus, as others have said, the interplay between you and the other regulars on the show.

Are you all good friends, as you seem to be?

What do you mean pretend to be drunk? I actually am drunk (obviously, that's a lie). We all get on very well, as long as my team win.

Good afternoon Hugh! Are there any plans to do any more outnumbered? Either a series or one off special? Could you envisage Pete and sue juggling grandkids etc? Also do you have a favourite out of the three kids?

@kim147

Love the Now Show

How tall is John Holmes

Not nearly as short as you'd think. I think he is probably about five foot four. He does, however, write all the jokes you hear about him himself.

I always wondered how they could afford that house too!

Did a U.S. version of Outnumbered ever get off the ground or was that just rumour? Personally I think The Middle ripped you off a little!

@GobblersKnob

Hi Hugh huge fan of your eyebrows

Who was the least terrifying more competent driver, Ben Fogel or David Baddiel?

Ben Fogle by a long way. The only time prior to the show I'd driven with David he had driven into a gatepost.