“Manchester is an incredible place to perform” Frank Skinner on laughter, legacy and 30 years of comedy

For fans of British comedy, Frank Skinner’s name is up there with the best of them.

A comedy icon who first broke out in the alternative stand-up scene, Skinner’s career has spanned three decades, an impressive timeline that his current tour, 30 Years of Dirt, celebrates.

And yet, if there’s one thing Skinner emphasises, it’s that his approach hasn’t changed all that much. With an infectious, sharp sense of humour, Skinner continues to charm his audiences with his unique style—one that’s equal parts wit and Birmingham grit.

Frank Skinner’s 30 Years of Dirt

In a chat, with I Love MCR, Frank shared what his latest tour’s title means to him. “I used to be a very dirty comedian,” he admitted, reminiscing on his early days in comedy. Known for raucous, sometimes outrageous material, Skinner became famous for his unabashed approach, and the “dirty” in 30 Years of Dirt is as much a nod to his roots as it is a playful reminder of his growth and development.

“I made an attempt to try and become more sophisticated, I have no idea whether it worked, haha. That’s up to the audiences to decide.”

While his style has evolved in some ways, Skinner’s roots in Birmingham have always had a certain hold on him. “I’ve refined my image in other areas of my work, but something about stand-up still brings out the Birmingham in me,” he said.

It’s the balance between his rough, humorous charm and his developed, intellectual side that has cemented his place in British comedy.

Frank Skinner’s passion for… Motorways

Skinner’s love for stand-up goes beyond the time he spends on stage. It’s clear he’s a road warrior, relishing the simple joys of tour life. “I love being on tour. I like staying in hotels, I like being on the motorway in the early hours, and I like motorway services at 2 a.m.,” he shared with a grin.

Even the mundane elements of touring feel like romantic nostalgia to him, and he’s not shy about admitting his favourite motorway haunts. “My favourite services is Tebay. Ever been there? It’s amazing.”

Making a mark in Manchester

“I started out in Birmingham, then tried my hand at some London gigs, which didn’t go as well as I’d hoped,” he reflected.

“But Manchester was different. I had friends there, like Henry Normal, and it just clicked. It became my next home.” Manchester offered an alternative comedy scene that was thriving with new ideas and personalities.

“Through his friend Henry and others, Skinner was introduced to iconic talents like Steve Coogan and Caroline Aherne, who were also finding their voices in the exciting Northern comedy scene. “Manchester was ahead of the game,” he said, describing it as a top place for alternative comedy.

“There were so many places to perform—it felt like the city was ready for something new.”

Not all of Skinner’s gigs in Greater Manchester were smooth sailing, though. He fondly recalls the variety of venues he played, from rowdy pubs to unconventional comedy clubs, each with its own unique character.

One memorable experience took place in Macclesfield, at a pub that seemed straight out of a northern folk tale. “I drove past Jodrell Bank [Observatory], and suddenly this massive structure appeared like a spaceship behind the hedges,” he laughed.

“I wasn’t expecting that.” The gig itself had its rough moments, with the audience initially hurling a bit of abuse his way. “But I won them over, and by the end, it was a really good gig. Driving back that night, I remember thinking, ‘I might actually be figuring this out.’”

Then there was the time he performed without a microphone. “The bloke running the show told me, ‘We’ve got a slight problem with the sound system. No microphone, so you’ll have to shout,’” he recalled.

“So some of it was a bit improvised, but that was part of the charm.” Skinner thrived in the raw, unscripted atmosphere that the Manchester circuit offered. These experiences helped shape his style, pushing him to dig deep and connect with audiences no matter the circumstances.

With his latest tour, 30 Years of Dirt, Skinner has returned to Manchester for multiple dates, a testament to the city’s enduring love for him. “I did The Lowry on Saturday night,” he shared, “and it was a cracking gig. The energy here is something else.”

Frank Off the Radio

While stand-up remains his passion, Skinner has also carved out a unique niche in podcasting. After his long-running radio show was axed, he was approached to continue with a podcast, Frank Off the Radio, featuring his radio co-hosts Emily and Pierre.

To his surprise, the show shot up the British podcast charts, garnering a strong fan base. “People seem to like it. I can’t explain it either!” he joked. The podcast, which is unscripted and full of spontaneous wit, offers fans a closer, more conversational side of Skinner’s humor.

Alongside this, he has nurtured a poetry podcast  – Frank Skinner’s Poetry Podcast— a “labour of love” he says he simply enjoys creating. For Skinner, words are an art form, whether found in a punchline or a poem. “I love language,” he said, whether it’s hearing a phrase on the bus or reading a line in a poem. “When I get up there, I tend to go a bit back to the old days… But I like to think that some of it could be described as poetry.”

The Timelessness of Making People Laugh

Ultimately, Skinner is a comedian through and through. While modern comedy has shifted toward more personal, autobiographical storytelling—a direction he embraces—his aim has remained timelessly simple. “I like making people laugh, and that’s my whole thrust,” he said.

Frank is not one to steer his material into trendy topics for the sake of it; he respects that style but sticks to his own formula.

He admires how modern comedy has become more introspective, with comics often telling stories in the first person. “When I started, it was always ‘two blokes walked into a pub,’” he recalled.

Now, it’s about connection. And Skinner is no exception; though he may poke fun at himself as the “old front-of-class comedian,” he revels in the communion that today’s audiences crave.

So, what can fans expect from 30 Years of Dirt? A good laugh, pure and simple. For Frank, it’s all about the joy of comedy—taking people away from their worries and creating that shared moment of laughter.

Frank Skinner’s 30 Years of Dirt at Opera House Theatre

You can get tickets to see Frank Skinner’s 30 Years of Dirt at the Opera House on  29^th November by clicking here