Mo Gilligan on navigating fame, mental health and the quiet joys that keep him grounded
Comedian, presenter and global entertainer Mo Gilligan joins Fearne for a chat filled with as much laughter as you’d expect. But Mo brings some real talk, too. The BAFTA-winning star opens up about the emotional intricacies of life in the spotlight, the quiet power of consistency and why humour can be both a shield and a healing force.
“You can’t always be the funny guy”
Mo gets candid about the emotional balancing act behind being a public figure known for joy and laughter. The pressure to perform 24/7 - even when he’s off-stage - can take a toll. While audiences expect him to be ‘on,’ Mo reveals how draining that can be. “You can't really have an off day,” he explains.
No stranger to missing flights or grappling with moments of self-doubt, Mo acknowledges how he uses humour as a defence mechanism:“Comics always have to see the funny in stuff… you never really address how bad the situation was.”
Despite these demands, Mo actually enjoys the simple pleasures in life, such as being at home, sipping tea, watching silly reels and even gardening. “It's that escapism. And I forget that someone else's escapism is watching what I do.”
CHASING HIGHS AND LEARNING TO SLOW DOWN
From sold-out tours to hosting The BRIT Awards, Mo has his fair share of high-adrenaline moments. But, as he tells Fearne, the post-show crash used to hit hard. “You want to keep feeding that adrenaline rush… and then the crash and fall was even bigger.” Nowadays, he chooses quieter post-show moments to reflect, rather than prolong the high with parties and late nights. “I enjoy more just having two minutes to myself, just like ‘whew, that was really fun.’”
ON SELF-BELIEF AND VULNERABILITY
Self-belief and self-esteem loom large during this chat, with Mo crediting his success to a deep, early-rooted confidence in his ability to make people laugh. But it’s not always been easy: “You take a lot of bruises to the soul and ego in stand-up.” He’s faced silence, rejection and imposter syndrome, but Mo’s kept going. He puts this down to consistency and a desire to improve, not just impress.
Mo is also refreshingly open about the importance of putting himself in uncomfortable spaces, like performing abroad. Spanning Los Angeles to Denmark and nearly everywhere in between, he's learned to tweak material but stay true to himself.
“It’s nice to feel vulnerable. It’s easy to get comfortable but growth is in that discomfort.”
PURPOSE AND PAYING IT FORWARD
Throughout the episode, Mo circles back to his ‘why’. From heartfelt fan messages to pinch-me moments on international stages, he finds meaning not just in success but in connection. “You put your faith into me just to watch my thing... I kind of want to do it for them.”
Fearne and Mo agree that celebration is part of life - and a radical act of self-love - from the small wins to the permission to be proud of our unique talents. “None of us stop to celebrate anything,” Fearne notes. Mo agrees, acknowledging he’s learning to say, “No, Mo man, you do more. Give yourself a pat on the back.”
