Are you religious?
Actually, yes. Oliver Callan said on his radio show this year that he had the strangest religious experience in the strangest place, and it was at one of my gigs. Maybe it was because I mentioned the parish quite a bit and my mother is the parish secretary. I grew up in the shadow of the church, figuratively and literally, my house is a stone’s throw from our local church. I did every job in the church, I was a reader, altar server and choir boy. I did philosophy in college and I thought that maybe I’d make a great monk.
READ MORE: Al Porter on experiencing dark times in his life since ‘everything fell apart’
READ MORE: Al Porter shares extent of his drink and drugs battle: 'By 21 I was having up to 10 pints a day'
What did you want to be growing up?
Bette Midler or Goldie Hawn! I also watched a lot of wrestling growing up because I loved the costumes and theatrics of it and I thought I could have been a wrestler too. But I was the skinniest boy, a gust of wind could have knocked me over, so there was a bit of confusion there. My friend and I used to steal our sister’s swimsuits because they looked like wrestling leotards. I would have been a crap priest too, I would have been terrible at confession because I’m a gossip. Currently, I just want to be Joanne McNally. I think she’s amazing and I think I would rock the pink jumpsuit.
What’s your greatest achievement in life?
My life changed entirely when I got sober just over three years ago. That journey changed every aspect of my life and I
was able to redirect myself and focus on being a better person.
Who is the love of your life?
My partner Mike, who I have been with for eight years. I wouldn’t be performing if it wasn’t for him.
If you could invite three people, dead or alive, to a dinner party, who would you choose?
Joan Rivers, because she’s hilarious, outspoken and very clever. Brendan Behan was a genius and he was very funny from the interviews I’ve seen. Meryl Streep, who is magnetic. I’d love to see them interact.
What three words describe you best?
Optimistic, chaotic and chatterbox.
What moment in your life would you like to relive?
I try to appreciate each new day and take life one step at a time, not looking back or forward too much. But I remember on the eve of the Marriage Equality vote, calling my dad on stage in Vicar St, and dancing to Chapel Of Love in front of 1,000 people including Gay Byrne, Panti Bliss, Louis Walsh, my mam and whoever else. It was special to have my army sergeant dad there for such a joyous moment. I had been involved with campaigning and Stand Up 4 Love at the time, even though you were supposed to stay neutral in broadcasting. Or earlier this year, walking on stage in Vicar St after six years, delivering a show about owning your past. The whole room erupted. It was moving.
What advice would you give your 16-year-old self?
Relax, everybody knows, and you don’t need to worry about getting a girlfriend or pretending you kissed someone on holiday. Be kind and patient and listen to your mother because she knows what she’s talking about. Finally, great success in life is not to do with money. Success in life is having great relationships with your family and friends and being creative.
What’s your earliest memory of laughter?
Making my nana laugh was top drawer. She lived with us in Tallaght and I would be sent into her in when my parents needed a break. She was quite full on. I used to be told, ‘Go in and do a dance for Nana’. I used to dress up for her, I would put on her old clothes and pretend I was her friend.
What song would you like played at your funeral?
I would like something old-fashioned like Vera Lynn’s We’ll Meet Again. That’s a tear jerker. Who doesn’t love the idea of weeping mourners in black veils belting out Ave Maria or Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace? Something dramatic.
Is there a talent you wish you had?
I wish I could sing! As a comedian you have to create a new show every year. I’m currently learning how to play the piano, and it’s going very badly.
- See Al in Olly & Polly are Freezin’ in the 3Olympia theatre this Christmas, visit olympiapanto.ie for more
- Catch his comedy gigs at alporter.ie
Read the full interview in the December issue of RSVP Magazine - on shelves now
English (US) ·