interview

JOE WILKINSON & KATHERINE RYAN: ‘We’re like BEAUTY & THE BEAST’

The friends talk budget-friendly adventures with Jordan Paramor

Ever wondered what happens when two top comedians go on holiday together? Well, wonder no more because Katherine Ryan, 40, and Joe Wilkinson, 48, have teamed up for brand-new series Joe & Katherine’s Bargain Holidays, which follows the pair as they investigate how to take a trip on the cheap around the UK and Europe.

One of them loves saving money (spoiler alert: it’s Joe) while one of them loves spending it (that’ll be Katherine), so it makes for interesting and very funny viewing.

The pair have been friends for years and, even though they’re both busy working on other projects, including their podcasts Chatabix and Katherine Ryan: Telling Everybody Everything, they relished spending time together. Until Katherine made Joe go paragliding, that is…

What’s the idea behind the show?

Joe: Katherine is used to a certain quality of life, which includes nice holidays. She’s prepared to spend a few quid on the finer things in life. I don’t do that. The idea was to see if I could persuade Katherine that you don’t have to spend a fortune to have a super little holiday around the UK and Europe when she’s used to being a bit extravagant.

Katherine: I was hoping he could teach me to stick to a budget without taking the piss. I was mostly livid everywhere we went, because I was usually cleaning up a beach or being stopped from spending money. But even those times were made brighter with Joe. He taught me that you can absolutely have the best time on a budget, because laughter and good company are free.

How did you two first meet?

J: We started doing stand-up at a similar time, and then we started doing other shows together, so we’ve been friends for a long time.

K: Joe has always been one of my favourite comedians and a very cool, kind man. I don’t think there’s an unlikeable bone in his body. He’s authentic and he’s certainly unique. I love that the simple things make him happy and he doesn’t realise he’s a celebrity. I remember him being really excited about a beach house he’d bought. I went to visit to learn he’d splashed out on a shed. Literally, a shed to keep beach towels and an umbrella in. WTF?

J: Katherine is very wise. I’ve always felt like the Karate Kid to her Mr Miyagi.

What’s the wisest thing Katherine has taught you?

J: Lots of things. I’m quite down on myself, and one day when I was like slagging myself off, she went, “Don’t you have a pop at my friend.” I was like, “That’s wise. That’s a good way of stopping someone beating themselves up.” She has a very interesting view of life.

Have you ever taught Katherine anything?

J: I’ve basically shown her that yo