Rob Rouse used to earn a living by teaching school children about Earth. Now he's virtually on another planet as one of Britain's top comedians. We speak to the former Geography teacher about making the leap from the classroom to the stage after winning the 'So You Think You're Funny' standup comedy competition at 1998's Edinburgh Festival.

In the process we stumble across his dog, Monty Python, performing gigs in the shower, and swimming in the sea off Cape Town.

Wikipedia claims you were a geography teacher before becoming a professional comedian. Is this actually true?

Absolutely. I even had a pair of Cords and smelt of whiskey and fags.

Is there anything you learned from standing in front of a classroom that helps in comedy?

Teaching's really hard work. A comedy audience wants you to make them laugh, but if you try and make a group of schoolkids laugh they generally think you're a bit of a dick: 'Look at sir trying to be funny!' That's a lie, they never called me sir.

Do you still remember any of the syllabus?

I couldn't remember much of it when I was teaching it.

And how did you make the jump from teacher to comic?

I did a charity gig for some friends when I was training as a teacher and I loved it. When I was a pupil at school, I always used to blurt out what I wasn't supposed to say... Then as a teacher, I had to be responsible…. Then as a comedian I could blurt out whatever I wanted and people laughed and I thought: 'Hang on, I'm 23, it's about time I rebelled!'

Why did you enter 'So You Think You're Funny'? To win or to have a laugh?

It was the only way to go to the Edinburgh Festival at the time. It was all very exciting — it was much more innocent and disorganised in those days. In England some open spots have agents now, it's mental!

When did you first realise you're funny?

The first time I got bollocked by a teacher.

What made you laugh as a child?

Pretty much anything or any situation where it was considered inappropriate, childish or silly to laugh.

What makes you laugh now?

Pretty much the same stuff. And funny people. Oh yeah and my dog, Ronnie. Yesterday I took him for a walk and bumped into our local vicar with his dog. His terrier was licking my dog's willy all the time we were speaking and the vicar just tried to ignore it. Ronnie was having a great time so I did everything I could to keep the vicar talking. Ronnie's a lot more relaxed now and tomorrow I become an Archbishop.

Is there anything you wouldn't joke about?

Something I didn't find funny — that would be comedic suicide.

Who are your comedy idols?

I grew up watching Morcambe and Wise, Tommy Cooper, Monty Python, Reeves and Mortimer, Fry and Laurie, 'Blackadder' and 'Alan Partridge'... all of these made me howl and I love them.

What's the first thing that comes to mind in association with:

'Little Britain'?

Catchphrases

Ricky Gervais?

Very original

'The Mighty Boosh'?

Amazingly original

John Cleese?

Brilliantly insane

In real life how different are you from the energetic guy on stage? Do you play a character on stage or is it a case of 'what you see is what you get'?

It is entirely me, just me when I'm onstage. Sometimes I do it offstage. I don't try stuff out on my mates, but I'm frequently a fool. Sometimes I perform material to myself in the shower — I've done some great gigs in the bathroom. I write in there, but don't know why.

You haven't been to South Africa before. What are you expecting? Is there anything you're looking forward to doing?

I'm coming out with my girlfriend and our little baby boy, so I imagine we'll do every single touristy thing going! I fully intend to go whale watching, see the penguins, go on safari, swim in the sea a lot and any other good suggestions anyone has. I can't wait.