BOOKSHELF I got down on one knee and read her the final line

Comedian and reality TV star Joel Dommett talks to about popping the question via his new book and turning his ‘catfish’ experience into comedy learn to get to know each other and “My world caved in, and for a full Apollo is just ridiculous to me, understand that person is the right evening, I thought, ‘What am I performing to nearly 100,000 one for you going to do?’ people, and then to go back and do

“She is amazing and we laugh so “But then I thought, ‘Let’s just the Extra show was incredible. much and get on so well. She’s way make it funny’. I wrote an entire “Hopefully it will continue. I’m funnier than me – it’s been a great hour about the ‘catfishing’ thing fully aware that people who do year.” and it really helped me to flush out reality TV can enjoy fleeting fame.

He was happy to share the news the anxiety and bad vibes. You can be everywhere for a with his 570,000 Instagram “It made me much more cautious month, and then nobody cares. I’ve followers, posting a picture on – until I met my fiancee on made it last a year and if it all fails Instagram of a toilet door lock first Instagram – I clearly hadn’t now, I’ve had a good year.” saying ‘Vacant’, and then ‘Engaged’. learned!” he jokes. He’s filming a new series of Joel

Indeed, he’s not exactly shy when He does, however, reveal a lot & Nish Vs The World for Comedy it comes to sharing snaps on social about his previous dating Central, where he and fellow media, including a few cheeky catastrophes in his book, from comedian Nish Kumar visit the photos with Hannah, with a fair bit teenage kissing – in “the way you fittest tribes in the world, and he of flesh on show. attack a dripping Mr Whippy” – to has more stand-up tour dates this

“In Thailand, we were naked almost losing his virginity, until he year. most of the time, so it made sense realised the condom was past its But he still has plenty of goals... really,” he says, referring to images sell-by date and the trials of online “My mum’s always wanted me to they shared during a recent trip. dating. do Strictly – she just wants me to

“Instagram is a documentation of Gloucestershire-born Joel, who learn how to dance! It’s petrifying, your life, and that’s what I was began his career at the National but in years to come, I’m sure I doing in my life at a particular Youth Theatre, keeps in touch with would be tempted,” he teases. moment. It’s not like I’m doing his old I’m A Celebrity... jungle “I’ve achieved a lot of goals I set anything too dangerous.” mates, including Carol Vorderman out to achieve early in my career

But three years ago, however, he and 2016 winner, Scarlett Moffatt. – a big tour and falling in love – and was ‘catfished’, when somebody “They’re a really nice bunch. I think this year is going to be he’d met on Twitter asked him to Scarlett does the amazing. I’m going participate in Skype sex – only to Extra Camp show towards where I want to later use the footage to try to with me. We just get be, and the comedian I blackmail him. on so well. I’m want to become.

While privately, Joel says the really excited to “I’m through the experience was horrendous and hopefully do more door now,” says Joel, could have meant the end of his Extra with her this “and it’s about staying career (after spending the previous year.” in the room.” few years trying to get his comedy I’m A Celebrity... off the ground, he’d just been opened doors for signed up to do I’m A Celebrity... at him, he agrees. this point), he decided to use it as “The last year has material in his routines. been mental. My

“I remember the utter sinking wildest dreams have feeling when I found out it wasn’t a come true. The fact I real online relationship and these did two dates at the pictures were posted up. Hammersmith