Dara Ó Briain arrives into the west London restaurant he’s chosen for our meeting a few minutes late and full of apologies. He was on the language app Duolingo and was doing quite well so didn’t want to stop because he was getting extra points. The comedian is learning Spanish. It’s one of his latest “little passions”. Another of these endeavours is the quest to improve his swimming kick. He’s a regular at his local pool in Chiswick. He’s also struggling with his spin turn.
“The water goes in my mouth,” he says. “I can’t do it, so I’m hoping I can get on a late night show with Daniel Wiffen and get a consultation, ask him for tips.”
We’re here to talk…