Interview with Josh Pugh ahead the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games on Channel 4

28 August 2024

We sat down with comedian Josh Pugh ahead of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games on Channel 4.

How excited are you to be involved with the Paris 2024 Paralympics Games on Channel 4? 
I’m really excited. It’s so great to be asked and to have a good view of everything that is going on. This year I won’t have to skive off work to watch it at home like I usually do. 

You are going to be one of our reporters capturing the day-to-day thrills of the events, are you looking forward to getting stuck into the action?   
I can’t wait. I’m going to be making some VTs at the events and I’m happy to be a gun for hire, I’ll do anything I’m asked to do… If anyone at Channel 4 is reading this. 

You’re also part of The Last Leg team. Are you looking forward to that?  
I am. I’ll be with The Last Leg lads at the opening and closing ceremonies. I’m putting a shift in, I’ll be working as hard as any of the athletes, I’d say. 

What role do you think comedy has alongside sport? 
Comedy and sport go hand in hand, for me. They’re the two things that can offer some escape and enjoyment from the more serious things going on in the world. When things are stressful, if you put on some comedy or sport, it’s a light relief. 

What do the Paralympics mean to you?   
I was born with a visual impairment and I grew up watching sport and trying different sports, some I was good at, some not so good. The Paralympics is an opportunity to see elite athletes competing on TV and showing what they’re able to do.   

And what role does sport have in your life?  
I’ve always loved sport. I was born with a visual impairment but didn’t really know what that meant. It was only as I started to play football and progress with it that I came to realise what a disadvantage I was at, then I started playing football with people who have the same or similar conditions to me and it opened up a new chapter in my life. I will play and be involved with sport for as long as I can be.  

Do you have a favourite Paralympic event?  
I love the judo, the athletics and I quite enjoy the shooting as well. It looks so hard.  

We can’t forget you’re going to be in Paris! Have you been before? What’s your favourite thing to do?   
I’ve been to Paris once before and I got very lost on the Metro. I did a stand-up gig in Paris but I don’t think they could understand me. I won’t let that tarnish my view of the city though and I can’t wait to be there. 

There probably won’t be much downtime, but if you manage to sneak any, what do you think you’ll get up to? Anything to tick off the bucket list?  
I’d like to get out and try some different foods. I know the French pride themselves on their cuisine so I want to get stuck into that. Mainly I just want to immerse myself in the sport, I can’t get enough of it.  

How is your French? Please can you give us your best phrase?
Un soupçon!