Britains Got Talent Michael McIntyre: 'I really don't want disaster!'
May 3, 2011
Michael McIntyre, Britain’s Got Talent’s hilarious new judge, talks to TV Times magazine about what it takes to spot talent – and why he could be in trouble with boss Simon Cowell...
How did you get the gig?
“It all happened so quickly. The job came out of nowhere about two weeks before Christmas and then like everybody else I started work on 4 January – it was a complete whirlwind, but I loved it. I’m used to trying to write jokes and panicking, but I just sat there on the nice twizzle chair and really enjoyed it. I loved Amanda and David is everything you’d want and more!”
What did your family think?
“Like most families, we love Simon’s shows. The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent are national events and they take over the whole country. To be involved is brilliant but surreal. I was at the auditions thinking 'I love Britain’s Got Talent, this is hilarious', and then I realised, 'Oh right, I’m on it – Ant and Dec are standing over there!'"
Was it easy to change from comedian to judge?
“No, it was weird being near such a big audience with my purpose not being to make them laugh. I had to deal with them booing me for the first time as well – if that happens in my normal job I’m in real trouble! I remember one guy who auditioned in Cardiff – he was a Welsh farmer and he sung a song in Welsh. You can imagine how much the crowd liked him, but he wasn’t very good. So I said, 'No', and, of course, they were all booing me. You get used to it though, because your job is to judge and if you’re not honest you’ll look silly on the telly.”
What is the toughest thing about being a judge?
“Coming up with your own opinion is hard! When I go to see a movie I don’t really know if I enjoyed it, so I ask my wife and listen to people talking on the way out. If they all say it was magnificent I’ll agree! That’s what Simon is so good at – he just says exactly what he feels and you do end up waiting for his verdict. The last thing you want is for people not to care about what you have to say.”
Were you softer on fellow comedians?
“I was. I had no intention of saying no to anybody who was trying to be funny. Just like Louis Walsh wouldn’t buzz anyone Irish when he stood in for The Hoff in London. I asked if he would put someone through who just said, 'My act is being Irish', and he said, 'If they were good at being Irish then yes!' I did say no to one woman who just kept saying ‘garlic bread’ over and over again like Peter Kay, but without having a joke about it!”
Your book is doing well. Will there be another instalment?
“That would be great wouldn’t it? I loved writing my book, but I had my whole life to look at. I’ve had my marriage, which was my happy ending, but maybe I’ll write another one day. I’d need a narrative so I’d need to have disaster and then triumph, which is a shame because I really don’t want disaster!”
What is your next ambition?
“Getting in shape. I just want to lose a stone and a half, so I’m playing tennis. People say it’s nice when you’re chubby, but I keep having this dream of being able do my jacket up! I stand next to David who is 6ft 5in and Amanda, who has heels that are 6ft 2in, and I don’t look good!”
Are you worried about Simon Cowell returning for the live shows?
“Simon will have criticisms. There’ll be lots of footage of him in his sunglasses with his T-shirt a little bit tight, walking along a corridor saying, 'They’ve ruined my show – who is this comedian? He said he was going to lose weight and look at the state of him!'"
How did you get the gig?
“It all happened so quickly. The job came out of nowhere about two weeks before Christmas and then like everybody else I started work on 4 January – it was a complete whirlwind, but I loved it. I’m used to trying to write jokes and panicking, but I just sat there on the nice twizzle chair and really enjoyed it. I loved Amanda and David is everything you’d want and more!”
What did your family think?
“Like most families, we love Simon’s shows. The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent are national events and they take over the whole country. To be involved is brilliant but surreal. I was at the auditions thinking 'I love Britain’s Got Talent, this is hilarious', and then I realised, 'Oh right, I’m on it – Ant and Dec are standing over there!'"
Was it easy to change from comedian to judge?
“No, it was weird being near such a big audience with my purpose not being to make them laugh. I had to deal with them booing me for the first time as well – if that happens in my normal job I’m in real trouble! I remember one guy who auditioned in Cardiff – he was a Welsh farmer and he sung a song in Welsh. You can imagine how much the crowd liked him, but he wasn’t very good. So I said, 'No', and, of course, they were all booing me. You get used to it though, because your job is to judge and if you’re not honest you’ll look silly on the telly.”
What is the toughest thing about being a judge?
“Coming up with your own opinion is hard! When I go to see a movie I don’t really know if I enjoyed it, so I ask my wife and listen to people talking on the way out. If they all say it was magnificent I’ll agree! That’s what Simon is so good at – he just says exactly what he feels and you do end up waiting for his verdict. The last thing you want is for people not to care about what you have to say.”
Were you softer on fellow comedians?
“I was. I had no intention of saying no to anybody who was trying to be funny. Just like Louis Walsh wouldn’t buzz anyone Irish when he stood in for The Hoff in London. I asked if he would put someone through who just said, 'My act is being Irish', and he said, 'If they were good at being Irish then yes!' I did say no to one woman who just kept saying ‘garlic bread’ over and over again like Peter Kay, but without having a joke about it!”
Your book is doing well. Will there be another instalment?
“That would be great wouldn’t it? I loved writing my book, but I had my whole life to look at. I’ve had my marriage, which was my happy ending, but maybe I’ll write another one day. I’d need a narrative so I’d need to have disaster and then triumph, which is a shame because I really don’t want disaster!”
What is your next ambition?
“Getting in shape. I just want to lose a stone and a half, so I’m playing tennis. People say it’s nice when you’re chubby, but I keep having this dream of being able do my jacket up! I stand next to David who is 6ft 5in and Amanda, who has heels that are 6ft 2in, and I don’t look good!”
Are you worried about Simon Cowell returning for the live shows?
“Simon will have criticisms. There’ll be lots of footage of him in his sunglasses with his T-shirt a little bit tight, walking along a corridor saying, 'They’ve ruined my show – who is this comedian? He said he was going to lose weight and look at the state of him!'"
See more Britains Got Talent star interviews
Share your view
Comments do not always reflect the views of What's On TV, or IPC Media, for guidelines visit our Ts & Cs page
Latest Star Interviews
A quick chat with Engelbert Humperdinck
May 22, 2012
Veteran crooner Engelbert Humperdinck flies the flag for the UK at Eurovision
The Voice: Max's time to shine!
May 15, 2012
Can The Voice's Max Milner go from musicals to bona fide musician?
BGT's Amanda: 'The final gives me butterflies!'
May 8, 2012
Amanda Holden reveals what's so special about the Britain's Got Talent final...
BGT contestants: 'This is our dream!'
May 3, 2012
We talk to some of our favourite BGT contestants ahead of this weekend’s live semi-finals about overnight fame, impressing Simon Cowell and singing in space...
BGT's Alesha: 'I can't wait for un-edited David!'
May 2, 2012
As Britain's Got Talent gears up for a week of semi-finals, judge Alesha Dixon says she's looking forward to going live... and a much naughtier David Walliams!
