Comedian and actor Lloyd Griffith says Ted Lasso is just as warm and fuzzy on set as on screen

Ahead of his shows in Glasgow and Edinburgh, comedian Lloyd Griffith tells us all about sorting his life out, starring in Ted Lasso, and his love of singing.

What’s your tour show, Baroque and Roll, about?

I wanted to call it Renaissance because it’s about me having a series of rebirths and Renaissance is my favourite period of music, but my agent was like… have you heard of Beyoncé? So I had to change the title!

It’s all about me having a series of rebirths and sorting my life out. I was losing my hair rapidly and it was affecting my confidence on stage and the acting roles I was going for. I decided to have a hair transplant.

We filmed my support slot for Jack Whitehall at the O2 and I looked really unhealthy. I’ve always been fat but it was the first time I’d seen it and thought I needed to do something.

So I’ve gone on a transformative journey over the last 18 months to make myself happier in quite shallow ways, which has been helping. I wake up in the morning now, see my new hairline, and I’m absolutely buzzing.

I don’t want to look like David Beckham. I’m not doing it to look like a Ken doll. I’m just doing it for myself, and luckily on that journey funny things happened so it’s great for stand-up.

You’re at the Glasgow and Edinburgh Stands, how exciting is it to play such iconic venues?

When I had a full time job, I took two hours off on a Monday so I could get the train to Edinburgh to do 10 minutes at the Red Raw night.

Had a nice time, got two cans of Stella, two sleeping pills, and got the sleeper train back. At 6.30am, I got off and went straight to work and had a shower.

My colleagues couldn’t get their heads around it but that’s how much gigging at The Stand meant to me.

I haven’t been to the Edinburgh one for a little while, so I can’t wait. It’s such an amazing space. The Glasgow one is too, they’re definitely the homes of comedy.

What has your experience been like working on Ted Lasso?

We’d done the table read and it was great – Nick Mohammed had everyone in stitches – but I guess no-one really knew what success was around the corner. People love Ted Lasso because it’s such a warm, fuzzy show and being on set was exactly the same.

We were lucky that were able to film during Covid. A lady came to my house every day to swab my nostrils. It was literally and metaphorically a lifesaver.

I’m a tiny little part in this huge machine, but everyone was as lovely as they were on screen. I’m praying for a series four, five and six because it’s the dreamiest gig.

Are you enjoying adding acting to your career?

I love comedians that can do their funny stuff, take the mickey out of themselves, but are also fantastic at playing quite serious characters.

I had the opportunity to play Paul Henry, who played Benny from Crossroads, in Nolly opposite Helena Bonham Carter. It’s very different to telling jokes about your hairy shoulders in Glasgow!

It’s good because it tests every part of you. I love stand-up and singing and couldn’t live without those, but it’s nice to test different muscles. It’s helped me become a better performer.

How has being part of Return To Paradise been?

Death in Paradise is one of the most successful British shows going. Everyone back in Grimsby watches it, it’s lovely escapism. Growing up we used to watch Home & Away and Neighbours thinking I’d love to live there!

The spin-off came knocking and I went out and filmed that for four months in Australia, which was absolutely amazing.

It’s out now in Australia and people seem to be loving it. I play a bumbling tubby cop from Lincolnshire, which was a tough ask, but I managed to do it!

You’re also a choir singer, how important has that been for you?

During lockdown, I kind of developed anxiety. It was the first time in 30 years that I hadn’t been singing. That had been my mindfulness, unbeknownst to me.

If anyone’s had anxiety issues, go and join a choir. It’s one of the best things you can do. Not only is it camaraderie, but it’s also the breathing, being grounded, just forgetting about things for a while.

I try and get as much singing in as possible. I’m very lucky in that I’m able to do stand-up, acting, presenting. But singing is the one thing that I’ll always try and do just for my head, more than anything.

And you’ve sung on the pitch for your beloved Grimsby Town?

I sang the national anthem as a kid before Grimsby v Sheffield Wednesday on Easter Monday, where I got heckled. “Who’s the fat boy in the blue?” It wasn’t ideal.

When the Queen passed, I was asked to sing the national anthem again at Blundell Park which was a huge honour. It was a moment I’ll never forget.

Brentford saw it and invited me to sing for their game against Arsenal on Super Sunday. After the King’s coronation I was asked to do it again. It’s an amazing part of history to be a part of.

I’ve got a weird LinkedIn page, but anything to beat having to get a normal job because I’d be useless.

Lloyd Griffith – Baroque and Roll, Sept 29, The Stand Edinburgh and Sept 30, The Stand Glasgow. Visit lloydgriffith.com