Grass

[JKiF]

omedian Simon Day once again transforms himself into The Fast Show’s know-it-all Billy Bleach for new black comedy Grass. And, ironically, the show’s storyline involves the London loudmouth (below) having to keep his big trap shut!

After witnessing a gangland murder in London, Billy is hauled in by the police as their star witness and is required to give evidence – hence the title. With his life in danger, he is put into a witness protection scheme and relocated to the wilds of Norfolk, where he is looked after by PC Harriet (Robert Wilfort), a wet-behind-the-ears local bobby.

“I’m from south-east London, and I based Billy on a bit of everyone from round there,” says Simon, 41, who also co-wrote Grass. “He’s a guy who can’t shut up, which is a major problem when he has to become someone else and can’t mention his past life.”

Simon, who also played boozy car salesman Geoff in BBC sitcom Swiss Toni, loves to make people laugh and has been doing it since he was a child. “I messed around at school all the time. I used to imitate Monty Python sketches to make the other kids laugh,” he says.

After leaving school at 16, Simon became a singer in a punk band called Simon And The Virgins and once supported the late 1970s chart favourites, Squeeze. But when the band split, Simon went off the rails and ended up in jail for two minor thefts.

“I had stolen a push-bike and a shirt, but I came up in front of the same judge both times and he sent me to Borstal,” he admits. “I learned to live off my wits and that helped me become a comedian.”

It was in 2000, during Simon’s stint as a stand-up comic that Paul Whitehouse recognised his potential and asked him to join The Fast Show team.

“The rest is history,” laughs Simon. “I still see the guys but I’m not sad that The Fast Show has come to an end.”

Simon married wife Ruth in June 2002 and the couple live in Notting Hill, west London.

“We met five years ago at a restaurant where she was working and we’ve been together ever since,” he says.

Simon is currently working on a new series of Swiss Toni with former Fast Show co-star Charlie Higson and developing an idea for a show about a celebrity-obsessed personal trainer. But, for now, he’s just hoping Grass will fill a comedy void on our screens.

“I really love The League Of Gentlemen, The Office and Alan Partridge,” says Simon. “But we need something new. Hopefully, Grass will be it.”