Bernard O’Shea is best known for his role on RTE’s Republic Of Telly and fronting 2FM’s Breakfast Republic with Jennifer Maguire and Keith Walsh. He’s also one of Ireland’s leading stand-up comedians and this month launched Goodfella’s new Takeaway Range as part of its ’21 Years Yum’ campaign. However, he still found a few minutes to talk to Her.ie about imaginary friends, terrible chat-up lines and why custard creams are the king of biscuits.
Tell us one surprising thing about you.
Oh gosh, I’m lactose intolerant. I’m also ambidextrous.
What is the most embarrassing thing that you’ve ever done?
Where do I start? There’s a list! I think the most embarrassing thing was when I was living in digs in college and I got into the bed with the man and the woman who owned the house. The next morning, everyone was laughing at breakfast and I was like ‘what happened?’.
If you could delete someone’s entire existence, who would it be?
Nobody. I couldn’t do it. Maybe my imaginary friend Bobo… we fell out.
Which trait do you most love and hate about yourself?
I don’t like my temper. I like that I’m resilient.
Who would be your four perfect dinner party guests?
Jen and Keith from the radio show on 2FM. And my wife and baby.
What’s the worst chat-up line that you’ve ever used?
How heavy is a polar bear’s boo? Well, it’s an icebreaker.
What is your favourite biscuit and why?
Good old custard cream. Because when all the fancy-dan chocolate cookies are gone, there’s always a custard cream somewhere in the house.
Which Irish celebrity do you secretly fancy?
I’ve always had a thing for Anne Doyle.
If you could live in any era, which one would you choose and why?
I have to say, I always fancies myself as a Viking so maybe the Viking era.
Dogs or cats?
50/50
If you were to take the Her.ie team for dinner, where would we go?
I’d bring you over to me flat for some Goodfellas’ pizzas.
