Out Of Character with Alex Lynch: Conversations with Sketch and Character Comedians

In this very special Series 5 finale, Alex chats to writer, performer and all round polymath Peter Serafinowicz (‘The Peter Serafinowicz Show’, ‘Shaun of the Dead’, ‘The Tick’) about making ‘Look Around You’, working with AI, and bringing back Brian Butterfield. Peter also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to him by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Cha...

In what has perhaps been the most long-time-coming episode, Alex chats to writer and performer Gabby Best (‘Changing Ends’, ‘Dreamland’, ‘Top Coppers’) about insomnia, fashion, and Noel Edmunds. Gabby also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to her by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 13th March 2026. You can find mor...

Alex chats to actor, drag king, and writer Daisy Doris May (‘Sex Education’, ‘Professor T’, narrator of Channel 4’s ‘First Dates’) about alter-egos, experimenting, and house music. Daisy also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to her by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 10th March 2026. Find out more of Daisy’s work...

In second of this two-parter, Alex chats to Mark about Bleak Old Shops, repeatable skills and Dale Winton. Mark also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to him by the show’s previous guest in ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 12th February 2026. You can find more of Mark’s work at https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/mark_evans/ Listen to the entire...

In the first of this two-parter, Alex chats in person to writer Mark Evans (‘Bleak Expectations’, ‘That Mitchell & Webb Look’, ‘Bluestone 42’) about comedy records, odd jobs, and military weaponry. You can find more of Mark’s work at https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/mark_evans/ Listen to the entire ‘Bleak Expectations’ at https://archive.org/details/BleakExpectationsS02E02AReKipperedLifeSmashed...

Alex chats to writer and performer Kathy Maniura about lycra-clad cyclists, drag make-up and ageing comedy. Kathy also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to her by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 11th February 2026. You can find more of Kathy’s work at www.kathymaniura.co.uk Insta: @kathykathymm Presented, recorded...

Alex chats to writer and performer Jess Carrivick (BBC New Comedy Awards 2025) about workshops, heats, and being a secret child star. Jess also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to her by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 10th February 2026. You can find more of Jess’s work at www.jesscarrivick.com Get tickets to he...

Alex chats to actor and improviser David Elms (Channel 5’s ‘Borderline’, Mr Swallow) about describing rooms, discovering improv, and growing up pretending to be American. David also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to him by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 1st December 2025 Book tickets to David Elms Describes A...

Alex chats to the writer, performer and improviser Katy Schutte about being a folklorist, making a Ghostbusters musical, and travelling to the Arctic. Katy also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to her by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 13th October 2025. You can find more of Katy’s work here at https://www.katysc...

Alex chats to writer and performer Jake Yapp (R4’s ‘Jake Yapp’s Media Circus’, ‘Charlie Brooker’s Weekly Wipe’) about cognitive dissonance, elderly ladies, and puppets. Jake also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to him by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 7th October 2025. You can find more of Jake’s work at https:...

Alex chats to writer and performer Zara Gladman (BBC’s ‘Good For Her’, R4's 'Eleanor & Pals') and about West End Mums, Scottish independence, and crayfish. Zara also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to her by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 1st October 2025. You can find more of Zara’s work at https://zaragla...

Alex chats to writer and performer Michael Spicer (‘The Room Next Door’, BBC Radio 4’s ‘No Room’, 'The Mash Report') about writing a space opera, recording his BBC Radio series on his phone, and the long lost days of ‘Tweet-Ups’. Michael also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to him by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recor...

Alex chats to actor and writer Lucy Montgomery (Netflix’s ‘Disenchantment’, BBC’s ‘Dodger’ and ‘Tracey Ullman’s Show’) about animation jobs, hot seating characters, and playing the girlfriend of Zig and (or) Zag. Lucy also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to her by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 9th September 20...

Alex chats to comedian and writer Marcus Brigstocke (BBC’s ‘Live at the Apollo’, Radio 4’s ‘The Brig Society’ and ‘Giles Wemmbly Hogg Goes Off’) about living the life of Giles Wemmbly Hogg, having a TV show whilst still at university, and what it means to be called ‘a broadcaster’. Marcus also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to him by Alex in our regular sect...

Alex chats to comedy double-act Hannah Croft and Fiona Pearce AKA Croft & Pearce (Radio 4’s ‘The Croft & Pearce Show’, BBC’s ‘The Mash Report’) about village communities, being billed with musicians, and things they should never do again. Hannah and Fiona also create a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to them by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Characte...

“Let’s Pod!” Alex chats to writer and actor Brona C. Titley (writer on Tracey Ullman’s Show, Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, Harry Hill’s Alien Fun Capsule) about musical knights, room etiquette, and lesbian nuns. Brona also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to her by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 1st A...

Alex chats to writer and performer Brendan Murphy (Buffy Revamped, Sonic The Hedgehog) about parodies, cloakrooms, and bleached blonde hair. Brendan also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to him by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 28th July 2025. Book Buffy Revamped tour dates at https://www.buffyrevamped.co.uk/ In...

In his first 3-way video interview, Alex chats to the comedy duo Róisín & Chara (Channel 4’s ‘The Paddock’, BBC Three ‘Quickies’) about being 'serious' actresses, having the same star sign, and eating too many marshmallows. Róisín & Chiara also create a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to them by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode...

Alex chats to writer and performer Alexis Dubus AKA Marcel Lucont (Comedy Central Live at the Comedy Store, Red Dwarf, The John Bishop Show) about star ratings, growing moustaches, and being pranked by Borat. Alexis also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to him by the show’s previous guest in ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 21st July 2025. Y...

Alex chats to actor and writer James McNicholas (BBC’s ‘Horrible Histories’ and ‘Horrible Science’, host of X podcast) about Beasts, bards, ballads and boxing. James also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to him by the show’s previous guest in ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 9th July 2025. You can find more of James’s work at Insta: @jmcnic...

Alex chats to actor and 'sort-of writer' Kath Hughes (‘Inside No. 9’, 'After Life' and 'Don't Hug Me, I'm Scared') about being in two sketch groups, winning a joke book, and air traffic control. Kath also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to her by the show’s previous guest in ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 7th July 2025. You can find more...

In the first in-person interview of this series, Alex chats to writer and performer Ed Jones (Radio 4’s ‘Crybabies Present…’, BBC’s ‘Not Going Out’, Channel 4’s ‘Mitchell & Webb Are Not Helping’) about group laughter, group dynamics and group sleeping arrangements. Ed also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to him by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of...

Alex chats to writer and performer Rosalie Minnitt (BBC’s ‘How Are You? It’s Alan [Partridge] and 'Horrible Science') AKA Lady Clementine about having agency, assumptions, and anachronisms. Rosalie also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to her by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 3rd July 2025. You can find more of...

Kicking off Series 5 in style as Alex chats to writer and performer John Kearns (Taskmaster, Top Coppers) about the story behind ‘Ball & Boe', how his solo act has been perceived by audiences, and leaving everything to chance. John also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to him by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorde...

Alex chats to actor and writer Rufus Jones (Disney+’s ‘Rivals’, Channel 4’s ‘Home’, ‘Stan and Ollie’) about Rutshire Couples, Dutch Elms, Cambridge Pantos, and Flying Circuses. Rufus also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to him by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 17th March 2025. Find out more of Rufus’s work at h...