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.

Hi Hugh

So IMPORTANT question of the day Do you have a real poncetastic tree or are you faking it?

Ahhh, lovely Hugh At a recent appointment where my children were their usual gobby confident selves, the dentist confessed that they always remind her of the Outnumbered family. Naturally I was flattered and not at all concerned by her remark

You have always seemed a laid back kind of guy. Do you ever get stage fright (especially doing improv)?

Ooh Hello

Going back to the San Francisco airport incident, have you ever been tempted to play the 'Don't you know who I am' card? And what would Dave do if it didn't have reruns of Mock The Week?

Sincerely,

Resident of Louth - Penis Sausage Head country

@RosesandRugby

Love Outnumbered and Mock the Week ??

Did you ever consider a 'normal' career or have you always wanted to make people laugh?

I had one for a bit, I was the brand manager of Lynx body spray for a company called Unilever. I left when they were about to send me to Japan for three years. I thought it would be a bit difficult to get back for a radio show.

Hi Hugh,

Thanks for answering. I did wonder sometimes if you were (ironically), looked down upon sometimes as some tosh posh who would not connect with the masses. Ofcourse, nowadays, I don't believe that would be the case as a lot of people love ironic, polite humour.

@Yiska

Hi Hugh

So IMPORTANT question of the day Do you have a real poncetastic tree or are you faking it?

We always have two real trees because of an ancient argument over who should decorate them, between my wife and my children, who all wanted to do it. The kids decorate one and my wife decorates the other. I should possibly work for the UN.

Hello Hugh! Who would play you in your life story?

Thanks for the reply, Hugh. Yes, I can see all that (& actually can especially see the benefit for children growing up in a household where there is a clear link to a family in different circumstances).

@CrystalGlitz

Ahhh, lovely Hugh At a recent appointment where my children were their usual gobby confident selves, the dentist confessed that they always remind her of the Outnumbered family. Naturally I was flattered and not at all concerned by her remark

You have always seemed a laid back kind of guy. Do you ever get stage fright (especially doing improv)?

No, not really, although it should be said that I have never met an actor that suffers from constipation.

Hi Hugh,

What is your favourite cheese?

@JeanBillie

Hello Hugh! Who would play you in your life story?

If it's people who are meant to look like me, it would have to be David Coulthard and the wooden man from the Cuprinol adverts.

Hi Hugh!

I was wondering what your favourite thing about Christmas was growing up and whether it has changed?

I think neither Strictly or the jungle is probably a good choice, thanks for answering.

@Izzy24

Hi Hugh,

What is your favourite cheese?

I'm a big fan of a toasting cheese so here is my problem: like Wallace I'm a big fan of Wensleydale but it doesn't melt very well, so I would veer to a very mature Red Leicester or an aged Cheddar.

Soft cheese, in my opinion, should be left somewhere until it's hardened up a bit.

Welcome Hugh!
My family just adore Outnumbered.
Did you enjoy improvising when acting with the children, especially when they were a bit younger? Were there many funny moments that you just couldn't use? Have you an example?

Hello Hugh Another big fan here! We love Outnumbered in my house with all the chaos, very realistic

Will your own Christmas be as chaotic as theirs or are you super organised?

@caramelshortbreadnowplease

Hi Hugh!

I was wondering what your favourite thing about Christmas was growing up and whether it has changed?

My favourite thing about Christmas is that between Christmas Day and New Years Day most people are on holiday so there's a real shared feeling of relaxation. I don't think that has changed although more people obviously now have to work, which is a shame.

For those who are unfamiliar with the wooden man from the Cuprinol ad and David Coulthard...can see what he means !

@NigelMolesworth

Hello Hugh!

Any plans to do another series of Fast and Loose? That had DH and I in stitches...!

I don't think so sadly, just a one off.

If you weren't an actor - what would you like to be?

Try little black bomber - it's amazing!

Thanks for all your questions, hope I answered some of them intelligently. They've looked after me very well here. I've finished their tin of biscuits.

Thank you for being here, Hugh. I have to say that I have gone up immeasurably in 21-year-old No1 son's esteem, now he knows you answered my question!

Hi Hugh, can you just say hi to me so I can tell my mum - thanks.

Love your work.

On Mock the Week, how long do you have to prepare your stuff? I'm thinking of things like the Prince Philip voiceovers which make me roar :o