‘Jonathan Ross gives me grief – but I like it’
Keith Lemon (portrayed by comedian Leigh Francis, 44) is back nosing about in famous folks’ homes…
What are you most looking forward to about this series?
I’m looking forward to it being shown on television, because it feels like I filmed it three years ago!
What can you tell us about the houses you visit this time?
We’ve got a lot of American homes on, and they’re always plusher and more exciting. And what’s different this time around is that when we leave a house, we don’t tell you who lives there. There were a lot of people on Twitter going, “Stop telling us where you are!” So now viewers at home can play along as well.
You’ve got some great guests on. Who was the most fun?
It’s always great having Jonathan Ross on. I’m a big fan and he’s always nice to me when I go on any of his shows, but when he comes on anything of mine he’s like a school bully. He gives me so much grief and tries to belittle me in front of the guests, but I kind of like it. If I’ve got people on that I know in real life, it’s just like having your mates round.
Do you mind watching yourself on the telly?
If I’m at home and Through The Keyhole is on, then I’ll watch it. I don’t watch myself as much as I used to; back then I was kind of checking myself out to see if I was doing a good job. This is the fifth series of Keyhole, so I know what I’m doing now. And as for my other show, the next series of Celebrity Juice is the 19th one – and it’s ten years old! It’s crazy. We’ll have to do something.
Nothing can be as great as your Back To The Future remake (the fab 30th anniversary tribute, which aired in 2015)…
I cried three times filming that because I was so overjoyed with what we were doing.
Back to Keyhole, can you talk filming highlights?
Yeah, I did a house in America and it was someone I’ve been a big fan of since I was young. I was a bit starstruck to meet that person and they ended up being really nice. They had an amazing pool – it was like being in a water park in Disney. They watched us filming and I was so chuffed that they were there. Sometimes, you end up being friends with them; going out for lunch and exchanging numbers.
Which houses stand out from all the shows you’ve done?
The weirdest one to this day was [Hollywood actress] Daryl Hannah’s. She lived in like a shed in the middle of a forest in Malibu. To me, I was meeting the mermaid out of [classic ’80s movie] Splash, it was so exciting. My favourite house that I could actually live in was probably Jack Osbourne’s; it was perfect – not too big and not too small, and just lovely inside.
Are you surprised that celebs give you the key to their homes?
When I hear the fee they’re getting, I’m not surprised [Keith chuckles]. But sometimes you do go, “Ooh, I’m surprised they’ve let us in.” It might be that people are proud and want to show everyone their houses, or they’ve got tax bills to pay.
If the tables were turned, would you have a massive tidy-up?
My house is quite tidy, but you’d know it was me as soon as you walk in because of the Andy Warhol-style picture of myself, which I’ve kept from Keyhole. I think we gave it to Louis Walsh because he collects art, but he didn’t take it home, so I did.