“I spent so many years waking up, staring at the ceiling and thinking, ‘What am I doing? Is it all leading anywhere?’” Paddy Young says. “It is weird how quickly that has been replaced with, ‘Oh my God, I hope I don’t mess this thing up.’”
For years, Young yearned to make a steady income from making people laugh. Now, at the age of 35, he is doing just that as part of the cast, and is about to embark on a stand-up tour, where he will be performing to bigger rooms than ever before. Yet the arrival of the career he had spent years chasing has brought him an unexpected problem: he continues to worry about whether he is actually funny.
“Every week on feels like a referendum,” he says. “There’s honestly times where I don’t know if anyone, including me, has ever even heard of a good joke. Every day we all fall flat. At every gig too, I’m like, ‘Will I be allowed to do another one?’”
When launched earlier this year, there were inevitable questions about whether an American comedy behemoth could translate to a British audience. It has since built steady ratings, racked up millions of social media views and attracted a string of high-profile hosts for its second series, including Cynthia Erivo and Danny Dyer. Young, however, still can’t relax.
“Someone told me you never know happiness, only relief,” he says. “It completely broke my heart because it’s true. I go up to stuff thinking this will be terrible, then it goes well, and I just sigh a breath of relief. A lot of comedians are overthinkers.”
Friday is the toughest day on , but luckily the “magic” starts to come together on Saturdays, which reminds me of what contestants have often said. “ is like for people who can’t make eye contact,” he quips, depicting how his self-deprecating tendencies quickly turn into material, dryly adding: “I’ve got a picture of a train on my screen, so I don’t have to look at you.”
Young grew up watching sketch shows and Eddie Izzard and Eddie Murphy standup gigs, and reading Beano comics alongside his dad’s Viz magazines, quietly developing his own form of comedy – a sarcastic and modest demeanor that leans into surreal storytelling or “true lies” as he refers to it – which he would test out by trying to make his three sisters laugh. When he trained as an actor at the Manchester School of Theatre, his wit is what set him apart.
“Other people had gravitas, could do accents, sing and dance. While on every other metric, I couldn’t top them, I had that in my back pocket.”
There’s only so many times a person can be told they’re the funniest person in the room before they consider a career in comedy. But, in a twist worthy of an Alanis Morissette lyric, that was when Young began to doubt his skillset. “I felt funny until I started doing stand-up comedy. Trying to monetise my humour was so humiliating. I would go to rubbish comedy nights and be the worst one on the bill.
EX-DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson sentenced to 15 years – what you need to know
Former Democratic Unionist Party leader, Jeffrey Donaldson, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for child sex abuse and rape.
What you need to know
The former DUP leader, who was an MP for 27 years until 2024, was convicted of 18 counts of sex abuse earlier this year, which he committed against two women when they were children.
- Complainant A said Donaldson had touched her breasts and kissed her, and in one incident, had used a light to examine her crotch.
- Complainant A said Donaldson’s wife, Eleanor, had witnessed an incident where he touched her under her clothing but did not intervene.
- Donaldson was found guilty of eight offences between 1999 and 2008.
- Eleanor Donaldson was found to have aided and abetted his crimes after a trial of the facts but cannot be given a prison sentence on mental health grounds.
The second victim
Complainant B is the elder of the two women who was abused by Donaldson.
- Complainant B described an incident where Donaldson “lifted her top up and her bra and started to touch her exposed breasts”.
- She added that Donaldson would frequently put his hand down her underwear.
- Complainant B also said Eleanor Donaldson had witnessed an incident where her husband had “played” with her breasts.
- The offences were committed between 1985 and 1991.
Victim’s statements
Victim A said the abuse had conditioned her experiences in adult life. She said she still suffers debilitating nightmares and has been medicated since her twenties.
Victim B said the abuse has affected every relationship she has ever had.
“I wonder what it is like not to be afraid at night,” she says.
The recruitment scam warning catching out 47% of Gen Z
Nearly half of adults aged 18-24 have been sent a message offering a job they had not applied for, a survey by Virgin Media O2 has found.
What people should watch out for
The company warned that recruitment scams can appear convincing, with victims tricked into paying fees, sending money, clicking links or downloading software.
- O2 identified scams on its network that promised hundreds of pounds for an hour or so of work per day, whilst others just looked like a regular message from a recruitment agency.
Worries over finding work exacerbates the problem
Half of the 18- to 24-year-olds surveyed said they are concerned about missing a genuine opportunity if they ignore unexpected recruitment messages.
Of those, 35 per cent said they would be tempted to respond to an attractive offer, even if they thought it might not be genuine.
3 min read
3 min read
How to check for a scam
“Before responding to an unexpected job message, check the opportunity directly with the company using contact details you’ve found yourself.”
Murray Mackenzie, director of fraud prevention at Virgin Media O2
Watch more from The i Paper
How to be more grateful for daily life in five easy steps
The world feels like a difficult place at the moment, and it can feel very hard sometimes to find things to be thankful for; when we are overwhelmed, we have less capacity to notice and reflect on the good things. Yet, ironically, proactively cultivating gratitude is one of the things that can actually help us feel less stressed.
NHS GP dR RADHA
The science
Research has shown that feeling or expressing thanks can actually alter our brain.
- The balance of neurotransmitters change; more serotonin and dopamine (feel good chemicals) are produced.
- This can be long lasting if we make gratitude a regular habit.
- We also get a decrease in our cortisol (stress hormone) levels which helps lower anxiety.
- Being grateful can strengthen the nerve pathways which triggers positive emotion.
How can we build gratitude?
Change your words
Instead of seeing something as a problem, try to see the opportunities within it.
Our brains are very receptive and what we read or write can alter our emotional system.
Express it
This will not only make you feel good, but you will also get a positive response from others.
How can we build gratitude?
Notice more
Throughout your day, try to notice all the things that are going well; has someone opened a door for you, or smiled?
The basics
By being thankful for the small things every day, we are far more likely to be and stay healthy so that we can enjoy them.
What to do
Gratitude can lead to feelings of optimism, lower our blood pressure, and improve sleep quality.
- Write down what potential good aspects there are to the things you don’t feel like doing, or even what could be worse about it.
- Spend a few minutes writing down three things that you are looking forward to that day, or the good things that have happened to you that day.
- Say thank you to yourself for the things you have achieved, or managed to get through and changed that day.
Sales of battery
electric vehicles hit a record high last year.
Starts at £22,995 for the smaller battery
Available with either a 40kWh battery or a larger 52kWh pack, that offers almost 255 miles, the latest, retro-inspired Renault 5 is both a joy to behold and a hoot to drive.
The interior has been lavished with a level of detail that’s typically reserved for more expensive cars.
4 min read
A champion of EV efficiency
It offers a remarkable 491 mile range on a single charge from the 85kWh battery.
It is a technological masterclass inside with the ability to option screens that span the entire width of the dashboard, including an optional display for the front passenger.
Priced from £37,400
2 min read
It’s a lot of money to part with, but this is arguably all the car you will ever need.
The £89,000 Macan is a premium SUV that somehow manages to blend Porsche’s reputation for dynamics and sporty driving with everyday practicality.
The 95kWh batteries can go from 10 to 80 per cent in as little as 21 minutes from the fastest public charging outlets.
With the business class-style six seat configuration costing a staggering £76,995, it is by far the most expensive Kia ever made, but it backs up its financial demands with a suite of genuinely useful and impressive onboard technology.
It’s fast, goes a long way between stops and charges relatively quickly but the interior is bland, the onboard technology is infuriating and the experience is devoid of emotion.
All of its gadgetry can’t disguise the fact that performance is weak, even for a typically zippy EV, the ride is fussy at slower speeds and it’s not in the least bit enjoyable to drive on a country road.
- While good value (prices start at £17,935) for the 200-mile max range, there are more interesting options from Hyundai, Citroen and Renault for similar money.
- It attempts to wow with tech, much of which hinders, rather than helps.
- There’s no tangible benefit over mounting your phone to the dash.
- Simply an average driving experience, adequate range and slow charging speeds.
2 min read
The kitchen gadgets under £25
Victorinox paring knife
It’s comfortable to hold, with a point sharp enough for scoring pastry.
ProCook cast iron pan
For unbeatable searing and heat-retention, cast iron is the top choice.
Tesco chopping board
Priced at just £22, I’ve yet to find another board that matches it for sheer value and quality.
The kitchen gadgets under £25
Pyrex jug
It is the perfect vessel for blending smooth sauces, melting butter, or warming stock. It won’t stain like plastic and the red measurements never fade.
Salter scales
“I’ve had my slim little set of Salter Disc Scales for over a decade, and I’m delighted to see they are still made to exactly the same reliable design today.”
Microplane grater
It uses photo-etched stainless steel teeth that stay razor-sharp for a decade, something the lookalike copycats simply can’t match.
Braun hand-held blender
It’s an essential for everything from making velvety soup to getting the lumps out of white sauce.
Bodum cafetiere
As well as delivering great results, cafetieres are easy to clean and there’s no ongoing filter paper costs or pod recycling to deal with.
5 min read
The kitchen gadgets under £25
Oxo peeler
What truly sets it apart is the chunky, rubberised handle that absorbs pressure and stays completely non-slip, even if your hands are wet. It is inexpensive and incredibly durable.
Falcon pie dish
Made by fusing porcelain onto heavy-gauge steel for smooth durability, it is dishwasher, freezer, hob, air-fryer and oven-safe.
The golden rules for a happy, secure relationship
Psychiatrist and neuroscientist Dr Amir Levine, author of bestselling book , explains why we behave the way we do in love.
Golden rules for happy relationships
Start with your own behaviours
The foundation of a secure, connected life is being what I call CARRP: that means being consistent, available, responsive, reliable and predictable. All of these qualities can be enacted in small gestures every day.
Express your needs
People need consistency and connection to feel safe. This is not, ‘You hurt my feelings by never replying to me’, it’s more ‘this is the kind of contact that helps me feel secure’.
Golden rules for happy relationships
The appendix ‘inflammation’ rule
If a relationship repeatedly inflames your nervous system, you need to disengage and deprioritise it.
Lean on community
You don’t need hundreds of friends. You need people and places that regularly remind you that you belong.
Stop blaming childhood
Humans are much more complicated than: ‘this happened to you, therefore you are doomed to be anxious’.
Reach for a
secure script
When something unsettles you in a relationship, your first reaction is not always the most accurate one.
If you’re anxious, your brain may jump very quickly to: ‘this is the beginning of the end’. If you’re avoidant, your brain may say: ‘this person wants too much from me, I need to get away’. So one very practical thing you can always do is pause and ask: ‘What would a secure person do here?’
Loneliness elsewhere
When people talk about loneliness, they often assume it means you don’t have enough people in your life. But you can be surrounded by people and still feel lonely if those relationships leave you feeling excluded, ignored or disconnected.
What to do
- Build a community that works for your temperament and gives you regular, reliable moments of connection.
- You can still be kind to people while not treating them as someone who belongs in your inner circle.
- Explain what you need. Sometimes people simply don’t realise how you are experiencing them.
- Check in with people: does this person actually feel that I’m reliable? Do they experience me as predictable? That’s the only way that you can start to become more secure.
Do some foods leave
you feeling hungry rather than satiated? Experts say there are…
Foods that leave you hungrier
A bowl of cereal and glass of orange juice
More refined cereals are digested quickly, and fruit juice, whilst one of your five-a-day, contains less fibre than whole fruit. This might mean you find yourself hungry again within 1-2 hours of eating this breakfast.
Swap the orange juice for a whole orange, the cereal for oats and milk or serve it with Greek yoghurt or a boiled egg. This would increase the fibre and protein content; two nutrients strongly linked with fullness.
Foods that leave you hungrier
These pastries are made primarily from refined flour and butter, and are relatively low in protein and fibre.
Toast and jam
Shop-bought packs can contain a lot of white rice, which is digested quickly, and the protein content is often modest.
Foods that leave you hungrier
Vegetable soup
On its own, it is often very low in protein and calories, so hunger can return quickly.
Unless it’s loaded with veggies, it’s probably pretty low in fibre.
Liquids are generally less filling as they require little chewing which may not trigger satiety signals.
Foods that leave you hungrier
Snack bars
They are ideal for a quick pick-me-up, but if reducing hunger is what you’re after, it’d be better to swap it out.
Low-fat yoghurt
A full-fat plain Greek yoghurt with berries and seeds tends to be much more filling due to the protein, fat and fibre.
On an empty stomach, it can actually increase your appetite.
What to eat instead
Instead of thinking about avoiding foods, think about what you can add to them.
- Add beans, lentils or shredded chicken to your vegetable soup and pasta.
- Thicken your smoothies with Greek yoghurt, chia seeds and oats.
- Apple slices with peanut butter, yogurt with berries and hummus with oat biscuits are better snack options than a pre-made snack bar.
- Have alcohol alongside a balanced meal containing protein and fibre.
How to age well
without pain
Will Harlow, a physiotherapist
for the over-50s and author of Independence for Life, shares
the key signs you’re ageing
badly – and what to do about it.
How to know
Ageing well is maintaining the ability to do what you want you want for as long as you want without needing help. Everyone is talking about longevity but what’s the point in living longer if the last decade is painful and you’re [totally] reliant on people?”
The signs to look out for
- The most obvious early warning sign of bad ageing is pain says Harlow.
- Another is losing confidence in doing daily tasks, which can quickly lead to a lack of independence.
- One call Harlow often receives is people calling after having a fall and struggling to get up.
4 min read
How to age without pain
Not just stopping
When people retire, they often put their feet up and stop. Your body really is use it or lose it.
Throughout our entire lives, Harlow says we need between seven and nine hours of sleep.
Social isolation
The lack of connection can increase the risk of premature death by
as much as 29 per cent.
Strength training
It really is the proxy for
overall independence.
The more muscle mass you have, the less chance of heart disease, diabetes, falls and even anxiety, depression and dementia.
The brain can be linked to muscle mass too, Harlow says. It’s not just about being able to lift things. It gives you more energy, better sleep and you’ll look and feel better.
How to age without pain
Daily habits
Do short bursts of exercise, between 30 and 60 seconds, in otherwise dead time during the day.
Stretch in bed
Take joints through a full range of motion for five minutes to loosen it before getting up.
Don’t crash diet
How to age without pain
Harlow advises 1.6 grams per kilogram of body weight to stop muscle loss alongside resistance training.
Don’t wait
Harlow finds that many patients put off making a change to their lifestyle until their lives are consumed by pain.
For most people, it’s about reducing the number of times per week you’re exercising, not reducing intensity.
The three ageing tests to do
- Lie completely flat on the floor and get back up to a standing position using any technique. This should take less than 10 seconds.
See how many times you can sit on the chair and stand back up again in 30 seconds. Men should be aiming for more than 14 times and women 12.
The single-leg stand, which involves standing on one leg and balancing for 10 seconds. Everyone should be able to do that and for those under 65, Harlow asks them to do it with their eyes closed.
“A lot of my peers found the first few years of open mics fun, but because I’d already been trying with acting for a while, I couldn’t believe I was still in pubs being bad. I was panicking.”
Young says audiences could smell his fear, but dealing with difficult crowds proved a valuable training ground in handling criticism. I saw this myself at the Roundhouse Comedy Festival’s opening night in August, when a spectator repeatedly heckled him, their shouts of “I’m funnier than you”, felt like an attempt to derail the show.
“The moments can’t be good for you, but those harrowing things that happen are par for the course, and I guess it’s in some ways funny, actually,” he ponders. “If something’s going well, I can be really transfixed on negative things, but when someone does that the contrarian in me just goes, ‘You’re thick’. Apathy is the hardest thing to deal with – a group of people that aren’t saying anything wrong, but they’re just not giving you much.”
He continues: “Comedy, unlike many other art forms, is based on failure. The only way you can ever get feedback is by going in front of an audience and seeing if they laugh.
“I used to work in theatre and I love theatre so sorry to say this, but they don’t have that so much. It’s why I think some of the people can like the smell of their own farts.”
His comedy draws on things that can be sold as failures – in his standup tour, , he spoke about life as a bachelor in a flat share and career struggles (“I can’t even be the funniest thing out of Scarborough since the New Year’s Eve fireworks were cancelled for Wally the masturbating walrus”). Before speaking to him, I wondered if it was part of an act, but he is keen to emphasise that he really is that negative.
“Someone said in a review, “How much longer is he going to keep up this sad shtick?” I am sad,” he states. “I love this job, but there’s an intense pressure all the time and I love my friends dearly, but living in a flatshare has its problems.
“When me and my housemate have just finished watching a film, and then the screen goes black, ain’t nothing sadder than seeing our reflection because we’re of fathering age. We are infantilised being in London, and then comedians are a whole other level of infantilised – it’s man baby central.”
Young isn’t concerned about running out of things to joke about if more success does find him and if home ownership happens, he already has a plan – doing 15 minutes of jokes on mortgage rates. I suggest writing a rom-com might be a good avenue to explore, with friends already telling me that Young is their crush. “Surely it is inevitable. Comedians are pretty good at writing for themselves. They are like, ‘What about a guy who is a comedian and get this… he is going out with a supermodel,” he says, with a small snigger. Aside from the possibility that one day he’ll write a Hollywood script that casts himself as a lead, fame has also meant that he was properly booked and busy.
“Before , my busyness was self-enforced. I made myself go to Edinburgh and write sketches, but I knew in the back of my mind, if I wanted to, I could just take a few days off. Since doing this job I am genuinely so busy, and I’ve realised I am built to work two days a week,” he says.
With Young heading out on his third solo standup tour, Will Sir be Laughing Alone? it feels like there is an obvious but needed question – what does he find funny when nobody is around? “Male patheticness, for sure, macho men trying to prove himself, people accidentally hurting themselves,” Young shares, which is ideal as he injured his hand with a samurai sword belonging to Sam Campbell in June.
Pushing the realms of what can be funny is something he does on his podcast, , in which callers ask for advice. In a wedding special, he “advised” one man whose friends were getting married on the same date as a previously booked holiday to pretend he was dying so they moved the date earlier – and to shave his head to make it more believable. He also practises it on satirical news segment Weekend Update, which he co-anchors with Ania Magliano. It was previously hosted by huge names such as Chevy Chase, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler in the US.
“On Weekend Update, we had to make jokes about the Strait of Hormuz for four weeks, and that was absolutely heartbreaking, but I always get a really weird vibe from the hall monitors who wag their fingers and scold me for telling certain jokes because it’s a serious thing.
“Anytime something terrible has happened with my friends or in my family it’s always been laughter that’s got us through it. It is the most natural and healthy thing,” he says.
“Ultimately, funny always wins.”
The Paddy Will Help podcast is available on all major platforms. SNL UK continues Saturdays at 10pm on Sky and streaming service NOW