Frank Skinner, 69, is an English comedian, writer and broadcaster, best known for co-hosting Fantasy Football League with David Baddiel – also co-writing the 1996 football anthem “Three Lions” – and presenting The Frank Skinner Show on television and radio. Born Christopher Graham Collins in the West Midlands to a working-class family, he studied English at university after spending years in factory work and unemployment, before turning to stand-up comedy in his late twenties. He lives in London with his partner Cath Mason, a talent agent; they have one son, Buzz, 14.
Here he looks back on the moments that changed his perspective on work, love, family, money and health.
No other event in my life will ever compare to experiencing the whole of Wembley Stadium singing “Three Lions” at Euro ’96. Lots of kids think, “I want to be a footballer” or “I want to be Elvis”, but no one grows up thinking, “I’d like to write a song that the whole of Wembley sings.” It was utterly incredible. Dreamlike. I kept shaking David Baddiel, who is largely untouched by world events, and saying, “We have to savour this. This is our magical summer. This is so special”.
It’s been 60 years since England won the World Cup, but I’m very anxious to say that these days. Someone always says, “Well, what about the Lionesses?” I’m just saying it’s been that long for the men’s pain. Men feel pain more than women, as we know, so they are entitled to more sympathy.
