Nick Mohammed

Comedian, writer and actor Nick Mohammed, 44, was born in Leeds to a Cypriot mother and Trinidadian father. He studied for a PhD in seismology at Cambridge University, joined the Footlights and got his comedy break on Radio 4. He’s best known for his double Emmy-nominated performance as Nathan “Nate” Shelley in Apple TV+ hit Ted Lasso . He has portrayed his alter-ego character Mr Swallow across stage and TV for two decades. His Show Pony live tour reaches the Edinburgh fringe festival this week. He lives in south-west London with his wife and their three children. Really well. I was in Montreal recently for the Just For Laughs festival and was concerned that such a regionally British character might not translate, but it seemed to work. I tweaked bits that were too specific. I doubt they know what a Toby Carvery is in Canada. I’d never draw comparisons because Partridge has legendary status, but I’d love to think it’s got lots of life in it. I’m now the age my teacher was back when she taught us. Maybe that’s contributed towards the success of Show Pony . There’s less disconnect. Steve Coogan is now Partridge’s age, so it’s sort of peak Partridge. Now they can just age together. I’d love to think that’s true with Mr Swallow as well. He’d suit being 70, still mucking about on stage. It was terrifying and traumatic. I unpack that in Show Pony , actually. I use screengrabs and break it all down, with pics of Christopher Nolan and Ryan Gosling’s reactions. Hollywood people were like: what the hell is going on and who is this? I was damp-shirted, damp pants, damp everything. It started off dreadfully but ended fine. You play the London mayor in the new series of Slow Horses . Are you expecting comparisons to Sadiq Khan? You’re about to play the Edinburgh fringe. Is that a special place for you? Tim Key’s at the top of his game. Every show is an absolute banger. David Elms Describes A Room is phenomenal and all improvised. Cat Cohen and Kieran Hodgson’s shows are amazing too. Daniel Kitson. I’ve never seen anything like it. He turns up minutes before the gig, goes for a poo, then strolls on stage with a cup of tea and absolutely kills it. Meanwhile, I’ll be in costume half an hour before, doing my vocal warmups, being pretentious and constipated. This autumn, you compete in The Celebrity Traitors . What can you tell us? Not much, but it was mad. I was hesitant about doing a reality show as myself, not in character, but when I heard who else was taking part, I couldn’t say no. When else would I get an opportunity to hang out with Stephen Fry, Claire Balding and all those brilliant people? Going into the castle for the first time, sitting at the round table, seeing Claudia Winkleman appear in those outfits – it was so camp and over the top. I adored it. The very best of our journalism, reviews and ideas – curated each day. Puzzles people and the stories behind them - trends, histories, insights and brain teasers all in one place.