The last time we spoke to Daniel Foxx it was just before the Edinburgh Fringe in July. The comedian had an incredibly successful run at the festival, with a sell out extended run and even won an award for the Comedy Poster Awards 2023. If you were not able to head up the festival this year, fear not as Daniel is taking the show on tour this autumn! The tour starts on the 1st October at the Aberystwyth, Comedy Festival and finishes on the 9th May at Guildford, G Live Studio. You can find out more about the tour and the venues by clicking here . I caught up with Daniel to find out all about the tour and what is in store for audiences.

Hello Daniel how are you? The last time we spoke, you were heading up to the Edinburgh Fringe, how was it for you this year? 

Hello! I’m very well thank you, so lovely to catch up again. 

The Fringe was dreamy, in every sense of the word: I had such a fun time and was lucky enough to have the show completely sell out with some really lovely audiences. But, like a dream, now that it’s over it feels like it never happened – and also I’ve pissed myself.

What was the best reaction / comment you got to your shows whilst you were there? 

The show ended up being named one of Rolling Stone’s “stand-out shows”, which is obviously absolutely lovely, but also just so absurdly rock and roll for someone who got through the Fringe on lavender salt baths and regular trips to John Lewis. I’m more House & Garden than Rolling Stone. 

Congratulations for winning the audience award for comedy poster awards 2023, it is a very striking image – what was the idea / concept  behind it? 

Oh thank you! All credit to the brilliant design team at Jiksaw for that. The brief was “Disney Villain does a Vogue Shoot”, and I think they pulled it off spectacularly. 

The main challenge was getting my hair into little devil horns (turns out the trick is just so, so much hair putty – they are a work of pure structural engineering) and making the jumper I’m wearing in the photo. I really wanted some sort of high camp, Cersei Lannister-esque top, so I ended up spending two days sewing individual copper dragon scales onto the shoulders for a spiked epaulette effect. I just wear it to go get coffee now. 

What did you learn this year from the Fringe? 

The Fringe is essentially a crash-course Barry’s Bootcamp in comedy – you arrive bewildered and terrified and leave a month later a much better comic. My comedy ass is so pert and toned now. 

I also learned that my dog Paddy absolutely hates bagpipes, so he will not be coming with me to Edinburgh next year. Classic ignorant Englishman. 

You are going back on tour with your show! What can you tell us about it? 

I am going on tour with my show! I’m very excited. VILLAIN is hitting the road around the UK to 26 different venues, and also for a run of dates in New York this November, if you happen to reading this from across the pond. 

The show is a lowdown on how every villain ever written is gay as the day is long – from Satan to Voldemort to Jafar – and also mixes in some stories from my own life, growing up and coming out in the 90s/2000s. It’s a bit nostalgic, a bit camp and a lot of fun to perform.

What are your essential items that you are taking with you?

WELL, the show contains music so item numero uno is my keyboard. Alongside comedy I make musical theatre (my musical ‘Ursula: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch’ is playing at the Southwark Playhouse in London this winter, in case anyone was wondering). 

But I was thinking about how focal the “villain song” is, and how it’s often the best song in a show… and it felt like a natural move to bring some of that energy into my standup hour and include some evil little bops.  

What is your favourite thing about touring? 

First and foremost: sampling the Pret A Mangers of this fair nation. But also it’s truly lovely to be able to meet my audiences, who tend to be very much the sort of people I could have a wine with. They’re a fun crowd.

What’s the most challenging?

The time spent on the road is a bit of a killer, but thankfully I’ve got really into audiobooks, so I can at least make some use of hours stuck on the M25 to feel cultured and superior.

How do you wind down from a show? 

I would love to say something chic and serene like “I smoke a menthol cigarette and meditate for 15 minutes”, but the truth is I drive home, shovel crisps into my mouth whilst cradling my dog, and watch an episode of something I’ve already seen thirty times (usually HBO’s Hacks or Will & Grace). But the crisps are those nice organic ‘lentil chips’, if that helps claw back any dignity at all?

If people want to find out more where can they visit on social media? 

I’m pretty regular with the updates and comedy sketches on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook, if any of that unholy trinity takes your fancy. Just search “Daniel Foxx” (two Xs) on any of them and I will be there.

Finally what else can we expect from you in 2024? 

2024 is looking to be a pleasantly busy year! VILLAIN will be touring from February, as will ‘Unfortunate’, so whether you want comedy with music or music with comedy, there’s an offering from me in a city near you. 

I’m also soon to be launching a naughty little podcast, and am also working on some exciting writing projects vis-a-vis scripted TV formats and a book. Something for everyone, hopefully!