TL;DR
- Phil Dunning discusses his BAFTA-nominated show Smoggie Queens.
- He shares how comedy helped him connect with his mother.
- Dunning reflects on growing up queer and seeking approval.
- He emphasizes the importance of finding your community.
- New episodes of the podcast are released every Friday.
In the latest episode of the Out with Suzi Ruffell podcast, award-winning comedian Phil Dunning opens up about his journey through comedy and how it helped him forge a deeper connection with his mother. Known for his surreal humor and standout roles in shows like Feel Good and Am I Being Unreasonable?, Dunning is making waves in the British comedy scene with his self-penned series, Smoggie Queens, which recently bagged the Best Comedy Series award at the Broadcast Digital Awards and earned three BAFTA nominations.
Reflecting on his experience at the BAFTAs, Phil shared, “I had our gang of Smoggie Queens cast and producers, and my mum was there as well. I was like, my mum’s going to sit next to me at the BAFTAs. This might never happen again!” For Dunning, sharing these milestones with his mum is more than just a family affair; it’s a testament to the bond they’ve built over the years through comedy.
During the podcast, he candidly discusses his upbringing and the challenges of growing up queer. “There was always a thing when I was watching TV with my parents, and especially my mum, where – because it was rare when I was young to see queer people on TV, if Lily Savage came on, or just any queer person, I was kind of watching [my mum] out of the side of my eyes,” he recalls. “Like, is she laughing? Is she enjoying this person’s comedy? You’re sort of looking for approval via someone else.” This longing for connection has shaped his comedic style and his live performances.
Phil reminisces about taking his mum to see established gay stand-ups like Tom Allen, saying, “I was like, he’s a gay man, he’s like me mum, do you approve? I just want my mum to be proud of me… and she just loved Tom. It was one of those things that was really nice and we bonded over.” This connection through comedy has been a lifeline for Dunning, allowing him to navigate his identity while fostering a loving relationship with his family.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/e_98CeheX4Y?si=zKGXKHdqcPf2VIZ9
Driven by legendary comedic influences like French and Saunders and Vic and Bob, Phil’s creativity blossomed early on. He recalls demanding a long blonde wig for Christmas as a child, which sparked a passion for performance that included dressing up and putting on shows with friends and family. “I just used to do shows. I was one of those kids,” he laughs, reminiscing about his childhood antics.
As he prepares for the highly anticipated second series of Smoggie Queens, Phil has a message for those who might feel isolated: “Find people that are on your wavelength. Because if you are in a place where not many people understand you, just know that there are other people that do, and that will get you. They’re not far away… you will find them.” His story is a reminder that community and connection are vital, especially for those navigating their queer identities.
Don’t miss new episodes of Attitude Presents: Out with Suzi Ruffell, released every Friday, featuring other notable guests like Munroe Bergdorf and Dan Gillespie Sells. Tune in for a dose of laughter, love, and inspiration!