Paul McDermott Articles/Reviews

[Moogie]

My Stalker Nightmare.
Paul McDermott is dancing back into the spotlight after his self-imposed exile from television.

When Paul McDermott stepped in front of the camera to present the first series of Strictly Dancing, it represented more than just another on-air hosting role. For the comedian it was a long-awaited return to the public eye after worrying experiences with stalkers convinced him to pack it all in three years ago.

"For a while I wanted to get away from it all, and I was out for three years. I just got jack of it all during Good News Week," says the 42-year-old funnyman, his usual jocularity and sharp wit for once taking back seat to reveal a serious, reflective side.

"I had some freaky stalker people. I didn't have issues with the popularity, but I couldn't deal with having these people outside my house.

"They were leaving things in my mailbox and they somehow got my private phone number. It even affected my girlfriend at the time, with people writing stuff on the Internet on supposed fan sites."

Paul made the most of his time away from the spotlight by writing and illustrating children's book, turning one into a short film that was accepted into the Berlin International Film Festival. He also wrote his enormously successful musical comedy GUD.

"I like doing what I do. I like the expression of ideas. But to me that crazy fan thing should not really be a part of it, it's not like one of your Hollywood jobs where you have people around you to protect you. Here, people can get really close to you," he says. "It's just not worth going through hell, and putting friends and lovers through hell. Why would you do it to yourself? I'd rather be a plumber!"

The second series of Strictly Dancing began last week, and Paul's looking forward to another season of toe-tapping brilliance, although he confesses to be less than handy on the dance floor himself.

"I do a lot of free movement," he laughs. "When I was a kid at an all-boys school, they forced us for 12 months before the formal to learn the Pride of Erin. It was a manky horror!"

Paul wasn't at all surprised when Strictly Dancing proved to be a runaway ratings success. "I thought it was a corker of an idea from the start," he says.

When Strictly Dancing ends, Paul's not sure where his career will take him. He's now worn the hats of scriptwriter, producer, host, actor, comedian, author, singer, illustrator, film-maker and director - all with great success.

"Sometimes I wish I wasn't as scattered," Paul says. "I'd like to pull all those strands together at some point. I need a patron of the arts to give me some money!

"What I like more than anything is sleeping and looking at the ocean. If I could find a way to that it'd be good..."

Story: Chriss Sheedy
*Strictly Dancing screens on ABC TV, Fridays at 8pm

[Rock Angel]

THANKS MOOGIE!

Originally Posted by Moogie

"What I like more than anything is sleeping and looking at the ocean. If I could find a way to that it'd be good..."

Hmmm, Sleeping and looking at the Ocean. Yes i think we would all like that job!

[Moogie]

Originally Posted by Rock Angel

THANKS MOOGIE!

It's alright. Was just flicking through Mum's mag and saw it. Thought it was a rather interesting little piece!

[Spoofy]

I was just about to type it....so glad I don't have to.

Mag's not mine so I can't scan the picture that we don't already have.

[unfrufru]

i wonder if we should mention names about who he's talking about??? hmmmmmmm


sadly its the minority that ruins it for the rest of us.

[Mythor]

I'm surprised he's talking about the stalking as if it's stalking, past tense.

[unfrufru]

maybe he doesn't know? Comedians are well known to be in a world of their own.

or maybe, now he's not so much in the public eye, he doesn't realise the severity of Stalkers:The Next Generation. cause I doubt the ones he were talking about (and we all know who he's talking about) still feel the same way.

[stevie]

A friend of mine had a stalker, and she's just no one really. It was fricken scary though, tough time to go through.

[Spoofy]

Originally Posted by Mythor

I'm surprised he's talking about the stalking as if it's stalking, past tense.

Well the one he mentioned was a past tense, and I know she was upset about the flower incident (shock horror!!) ...
but i am surprised he hasnt used a new line...that ones been around for 4 years now.



Unfrufru - the flower incident was a different person to the ones we know, but still a former friend of them...and no it wasn't me :p

[unfrufru]

Originally Posted by Spoofy

Unfrufru - the flower incident was a different person to the ones we know, but still a former friend of them...and no it wasn't me :p

did i say it was you

[dermo]

Originally Posted by unfrufru

maybe he doesn't know? Comedians are well known to be in a world of their own.

HEY! I take offence to that, I'll have you kno..oooohh lalalala shiny stuff...

[jess]

Paul wasn't at all surprised when Strictly Dancing proved to be a runaway ratings success. "I thought it was a corker of an idea from the start," he says.

*sniggers quietly into her Milo*

Selling his story to Woman's Day? He really does need the money doesn't he? What can we expect next?
"Coming up on A Current Affair, for Paul McDermott's tragic past with his fanatical stalkers, but first, the little jumping Rat that wouldn't give up. His inspirational blahblahblah".

But.... not to be too nosy or anything, but this has piqued my interest...what's the Flower Incident?

[Spoofy]

Originally Posted by unfrufru

did i say it was you

I know you know it wasn't me.....for everyone else I was clarifying, it wasn't me

[unfrufru]

see you've jsut fucked up, cause most people wouldn't know what we're talking about cause they weren't here then let alone that it wasn't you.

we've got this issue at work, i'll accidently have a coughing fit later at work whilst reading it and rip it out and scan it in.

[lily]

I loved the description of learning the Pride of Erin as "a manky horror".