K Factor

Stephen K Amos is a new force in comedy. Charming and original, Stephen’s material challenges and laughs in the face of all the old stereotypes. A gifted actor, he has also won praise for his more serious acting roles. BHM finds out what makes the funnyman tick…..

BHM: Childhood ambition?
Stephen K Amos: From a young age my ambition was to become a lawyer. Or maybe it was my mum and dad’s ambition for me? However I now do a job that’s in many ways similar to being a lawyer. I stand up in front of a room full of strangers telling lies. And they’re always judging me.

BHM: Life before standup ...3 other jobs you’ve had?
SKA: I worked as a train guard on the Orient Express. I saw the advert and thought that I’d travel the world and mix with the jet set. It ended up with me guarding the both empty train in London every week before it went into transit. I never left Kings Cross. My next favourite job was working as a meat packer in Sainsburys. I was the mince man. And when I say mince, I don’t mean I was voguing in six inch stilettos saying ‘Oh matron! I like your beef!’ I mean I made the mince. My other job was less soul destroying. I was a vet’s assistant.

BHM: Career breakthrough moment?
SKA: I knew I had made it when in the space of a week I appeared on Live at the Apollo and at the Royal Variety Show. People were stopping me at the bus stop after that and asking if I was Lenny Henry. To which I replied “yes”.

BHM: Best and worst things about stand-up?
SKA: I get to do a job I love and travel all around the world and meet different types of people. But I hear the funniest things at times. I went to Avimore in the Scottish Highlands and at the gig the owner came up to me and said ‘Have you met black Tony?’ I thought I have to meet black Tony. I found him. He was Spanish. On the other hand always being on the move can be lonely at times.

BHM: Who do you think you are? Can you give us a brief rundown of your family tree?
SKA: I’m a twin and so I’ve always had a best friend. People always ask if we are identical. I can assure you she’s not six foot two with side burns. As a kid there were no black role models for me so I used to tell all of my friends that Daley Thompson was my dad and Grace Jones was my mum. I knew no-one would bully me if they thought that Grace Jones was my mum. n

Stephen K Amos Tour Dates
October 2009
25th Worthing Assembly Hall
27th High Wycome - Wycome Swan
28th  Halifax Victoria Theatre
29th York Grand Opera House
31st Jersey Opera House
For full tour dates for 2009 please see www.gloriousmanagement.com

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