30 APRIL-06 MAY 2020 BIGISSUE.COM | 25
Rob: Like any industry, there are people you get on with
and people you don’t, but people who aren’t nice you won’t
have heard of because they’re not normally very good at
comedy. We started out together 10 years ago so we're
proper mates, not just TV friends where they throw people
together and they pretend.
Rom: That's the official line. On paper, if you were to put
our characteristics into a website, we wouldn't come up as
a match. We'd actually be advised to stay away from each
other because, on the face of it, we should not be friends.
I would describe Rob as an acquired taste, but once you've
acquired it, oh, it's beautiful. He's like a horrible olive.
Rob: We feel comfortable doing things that you may not
do on our own or with someone else. There are no egos
involved. Because we trust each other, we can push each
other to do more ridiculous things.
Rom: Yeah, there are definitely some things we've done
in the show [Rob & Romesh Vs, which sees them enter the
world of NBA, ballet and cricket] that I'd never do on my
own. Ballet I would describe as combining an artistic and
cultural high point with Rob and my own dignity’s low
point. Pouring ourselves into ballet outfits was degrading.
Rob: Lumps and stuff that none of the other dancers had. I
know I don't have a great body but I found out my back was
fat. We also did a colonic irrigation together... Why did we
do that?
Rom: Both of us dropped the ball there. An absolutely
horrendous series of decisions. It’s something that’s
stayed with us.
Rob: I've not been the same since. It’s like a sleeve on a
jumper, pull it up to your elbow and it’s never tight around
your watch again. Did they keep the button mushroom
bit in?
Rom: They did, Rob, they did. That might be the worst
thing that's ever happened to me. Cameras rolling and a
mushroom emerges from inside you and passes through
an exhibiting tunnel.
Rob: Could’ve been worse, could’ve been a field
mushroom. The bottom rule is, if it’s funny, do it. It doesn't
necessarily mean I will enjoy it, or it will be pleasurable.
But if it's funny, it’s our job, innit?The new series of Rob & Romesh Vs returns on May 5
on Sky One and Now TVBallet buddies
Rob and Romesh
get put through
their dancing paces
in their new series