Hugh Dennis, 49, was brought up in London and educated at Cambridge University, where he was a member of the Footlights. After university, he spent six years working for Unilever, but continued to perform comedy with Steve Punt. In the late 80s, Punt and Dennis became part of The Mary Whitehouse Experience, first a radio and then a television series. They still tour as a comedy duo, but Dennis also stars in the TV sitcom Outnumbered. He is currently hosting the new BBC2 improvisation show Fast And Loose. He is married with two children and lives in Sussex.
When were you happiest?
I am probably happiest now, but I have been happy at every stage of my life.
What is your greatest fear?
Being old and alone.
What is your earliest memory?
Winston Churchill's funeral in 1965. I was three and in the back garden of our vicarage on the Isle of Dogs. The RAF did a flypast and these fighters came really low over the garden.
What was your most embarrassing moment?
When I had to go for a colonoscopy. The nurse was just about to insert 50ft of hosepipe into the most embarrassing part of my anatomy. Just as I was dropping off, the nurse said, "I'm a very good friend of your next-door neighbour."
What is your most treasured possession?
I don't have any. I would rather have nothing worth stealing than live my life trying to protect things.
What would your super power be?
To be able to fly – it would do a hell of a lot for my carbon footprint.
What makes you unhappy?
Other people being unhappy.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
Never been that keen on the chin.
If you could bring something extinct back to life, what would you choose?
The pre-Dr Beeching railway network.
What is your most unappealing habit?
It's something to do with toenails.
Cat or dog?
I am a cat person, although when I was a child we had a loony cat that was terrifying; if you hadn't fed it, it would chase you round the house.
To whom would you most like to say sorry?
I think I've said sorry to practically everyone the whole way through my life. I am always saying sorry.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My wife, Kate.
What is the worst job you've done?
As a student I had a selection of terrible jobs, including working in Harrods, operating a lift, at the start of the Aids epidemic. The other lift operator was very worried because he'd read that Aids came from Holland and he refused to unload a consignment of edam.
What has been your biggest disappointment?
At the time, it was the fact that my first marriage didn't work, but subsequently that proved to be a good thing.
When did you last cry, and why?
Since I had children, I cry all the time – I just had a little cry in Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
A transporter like they have on Star Trek.
What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
That everything is much longer than you think it is and you don't really have to hurry.