New York taught me how to be a comedian. I started out doing variety shows: impressions, a song, that sort of thing. Then in the 1980s I spent a while in New York, where I would often do three performances a night. It was during the comedy boom and there were clubs opening up on every block. That's when I realised stand-up is an art form.
The funniest people usually don't even know they're funny. I was collecting material about the British sense of humour for my new show and I met a chambermaid in a Blackpool hotel. She was telling me what the guests got up to - men urinating in wardrobes, people carrying on having sex when she walked in - and her comic timing was almost professional. I was laughing so hard I couldn't breathe. But she couldn't understand why.
Some people don't understand British humour. But we should lay off them a bit. When people visit here, they have to deal with all kinds of banter. Once they have got used to it, then it's easier for them to join in.
I've been mistaken for a mugger. I was in Johannesburg with Kevin Cahill, who runs Comic Relief, and we went for a jog one day. Kevin's a lot faster than me, so he ended up in front and suddenly everyone was staring at us. It looked like this big black guy chasing a little white guy. We were lucky no one called the police.
The best comedian I ever saw was in Kenya. I was invited to a Rotary Club dinner and the local comic did a turn. He was an Indian guy and he just worked the room, doing all the accents of everyone there - he really knew his audience. Then I had to get up and tell some lame joke.
I've got family from the Caribbean so I love visiting them there. Antigua is the most beautiful place. My favourite country is New Zealand. Maori culture is still strong: people can leave their front doors unlocked, and the weather is great.
It takes me about a week to get into any trip. The first few days I'm writing and thinking as I get my best jokes on holiday. The second week I start swimming and then that's me - chilled out.
For upcoming tour dates, visit lennyhenry.com. Interview by Stephen Armstrong.
