What brought you to Sussex?

We’ve been here 20 years. We’d had enough of London, and were coming down to Brighton so often, visiting friends who’d moved down, it just seemed like a natural choice. And it was the best choice I ever made.

Which bit of Brighton do you live in?

We lived in Kemptown for eight years, and then we moved to Hove. Sounds like a natural progression, that, doesn’t it? Next stop Worthing! Actually I love it where we are, one block from the station, one block from the sea.

Is Brighton a good place for a comedian to live?

There’s such an active, creative vibe in this city and there are lots of comedians down here now. There always have been loads of little clubs to play, where you can try out material. I’ve run a club at Komedia for the last 15 years. The flip side of that is, as a comic, you travel a lot, so it’s horrific to live in Brighton, because you’ve usually got to go through London, and then there’s an extra hour’s more journey time. But honestly, you know what? There is the extra travel, but there’s always the getting home, and that’s the best bit, right?

How much has Brighton changed since you moved there?

Twenty years ago, Brighton might have thought it was a diverse city, but it wasn’t, it was very mono-colour. It’s changed a lot in that respect, which is great, and I think it’s grown up as a city.

It’s become a lot more foodie, too. And it’s definitely busier. On the negative side it’s got a lot more expensive to live here, and that always impacts people who work in the arts and culture, because – you know what? – often our incomes aren’t as guaranteed or as steady as other people’s.

What do you think of Brighton’s cultural offering?

I think there’s been some improvement recently in programming, but I wish our theatres brought in more interesting shows from the West End. They tend to put on a lot of hen-party tat. Having said that, there’s the Dome, which is brilliant, and pretty good bands come to play in Brighton. I rarely, and reluctantly, have to go to London.

You’re on the telly a lot: do people stop you in the street for selfies, or are Brighton people too cool for that sort of thing?

There are far cooler people around in Brighton than me. Dave Gilmour lives down the road, and I know he hates it: ‘they’re always after me!’ Until recently Nick Cave lived nearby. But I don’t have a problem. Quite the opposite. One of the first things that struck me after moving down from London was how very friendly the people were here.

Do you identify with Sussex?

I think people who live in Brighton tend to identify with the city much more than the county around it. It was probably during lockdown that I started to really, really appreciate Sussex as a county, all the pretty towns and villages. Pre-pandemic, my eyes were focused towards the sea, and since then, I’ve looked towards the Downs. We’re so lucky to have both.

Tell us about your favourite architectural and natural landmarks in the county.

It’s such a delight to see the Saltdean Lido back to its full glory, a building that smacks of seaside history. Landscape-wise, it has to be the Seven Sisters. What an iconic landscape that is! They are bastards to run, mind, I’ve done that a few times.

Can you recommend anywhere to eat and drink?

Bolney Wine Estate have got a fabulous café overlooking the vineyard. They produce a really beautiful sparkling rosé. Closer to home is Etch, run by an ex-MasterChef winner, one of the best places in the world I’ve ever eaten. It’s got such an incredible tasting menu. We go there once or twice a year to spoil ourselves, because it’s a little bit at the higher-end scale, pricewise. If anyone ever visits us from overseas and they want to go to a proper English pub, I take them to the Basketmakers in North Laine in Brighton. The atmosphere is spot on, and I love the little tin boxes all around where people write messages on bits of paper.

When did you last swim in the sea?

In the summer! I used to go every day – through the winter at one point – but then I stopped completely for about a year: the weather wasn’t good and the condition of the water hadn’t been great. I’m going to start again. It’s so refreshing, it sort of resets the soul. And actually, the colder it gets, the harder the reset. If you do want to swim through the winter, though, my advice is to start in the autumn and keep going, otherwise it’s too much of a shock to the system.

What’s your favourite Sussex art gallery?

You know, I don’t think I’ve been to an art gallery in Sussex outside of Brighton! And I love art galleries! That’s something I would go up to London for, to see a big art show. I’ve got to explore what’s round me more. Where would you recommend?

If you didn’t live in Brighton, where in the world would you like to live?

As a comedian I get to travel all over the country, and I’ve been able to wipe a lot of cities off my ‘could-I-live-here?’ list. Maybe in Amsterdam, my wife is Dutch, so we have a strong connection there. Or the very north of Scotland, though it’s too dark in the winter and the midges are a nightmare in the summer.

Tell us a Sussex secret.

Don’t ever drive in Brighton.

Tickets are on sale for Zoe’s show Werewolf, which she is touring round the country in early 2025, including gigs at Worthing Pavilion (April 8) and The Hawth Studio, Crawley (May 17).