HUGE CONGRATULATIONS ON PLAYING THE ICONIC ROYAL ALBERT HALL…

Thanks. I played there last June and as I’m a huge Led Zeppelin fan, I wanted to play drums before the show in the empty arena, just to play drums where John Bonham played. The whole thing was an out-of-body experience. I’ve watched their Royal Albert Hall special more than any music thing ever.

YOU’RE AN INSPIRING FIGURE, AS IT TOOK YOU A WHILE TO GET THAT BREAKTHROUGH.

I’ve been going 27 years. I did a bene t show, one of those where there was music afterwards so the crowd was milling around. The opening act was great, but had a tough time. When he introduced me I walked on, leaned in and said, “I envy you” because his night was over!

YOU WORKED HARD FOR YEARS BEFORE YOU FOUND SUCCESS, DIDN’T YOU?

Hollywood wasn’t looking for a balding red head! I had plenty of time to develop. It makes me laugh when people say showbiz is unfair. Yes, welcome. It’s brutal.

HOW DO YOU COPE WITH YOUR PEERS SAYING YOU’RE THE GREATEST COMIC EVER?

Well, I don’t agree with it! There are so many people out there as funny, funnier or well on the way to passing me. The best guy I ever saw was Patrice O’Neal. I’m still not as good as he was. He still had another 80 per cent in the tank and made everyone better.

ANOTHER COMEDY GREAT IS VINCE VAUGHN, WHO WORKS WITH YOU ON YOUR NETFLIX SHOW F IS FOR FAMILY. HOW WAS THAT?

You know the lead guy in the Tour de France while the rest of the guys are in the peloton? That’s how fast his mind is. I’m going into a booth where I’ll improvise with Vince Vaughn. That’s what my life is: hanging out with people way more talented than me.

Bill Burr plays the Royal Albert Hall on 4 and 5 March. For more info, visit livenation.co.uk