Mo Gilligan declares with pride, "The other day, I constructed a cabinet!" On this bright day in northwest London, the 37-year-old seems to be struck by the spring cleaning fever. Almost though, he adds, “It doesn’t hold any towels or linens as of now, but each time I pass by it, I think to myself, 'Yep, that one's mine.' That gives me quite a bit of happiness."
Bear in mind, this individual is more renowned for telling jokes than for his do-it-yourself abilities—a person who rapidly transitioned from being a social media humorist to a primetime TV host within just a few years. You might recognize him from his Bafta-winning talk show on Channel 4. The Lateish Show Starring Mo Gilligan , there’s a possibility you’ve spotted him as part of the panel The Masked Singer or the sofa via Gogglebox Perhaps you caught him hosting the Brits consecutively in 2022 and 2023, viewed one of his two Netflix specials, or enjoyed his depiction of a spoiled house cat. last year’s animation film 10 Lives The point is: if you've spent time in front of any screen since Gilligan’s social media breakout in 2017, chances are you're already acquainted with his face.
Therefore, constructing cabinets—is this truly what success represents? For Gilligan, indeed it is. Having spent the last 13 months journeying around the globe for his In The Moment During the tours, finding time for some minor home improvement tasks has turned into a rare treat. "Last year was quite hectic—I kept traveling between the UK and the US, as well as organizing shows in places like Dubai," he explains. "These days, I truly appreciate the moments I can dedicate to simple activities. Being fortunate enough to own a garden—in London, this is considered special—yesterday, when sunlight appeared, all I wanted to do was clean up, trim a couple of bushes, and tidy everything away. Those are the kinds of everyday actions I now cherish."
However, he may not stroll through the garden for some time now. This will be the last part of his tour in the UK. , The event starting the day after our meeting has already booked up nine shows. The culminating performance? A concert at London’s 20,000-seat capacity venue, The O2, in May. Gilligan has previously taken the stage at The O2 for both the Brit Awards and during his comedy presentations. Mo Gilligan & Co.: The Black British Ascendancy , for which he assembled a line-up of Black comedians for ensemble shows in 2021 and 2022. But this is the first time he’ll be up on that stage alone. “It does get nerve-wracking,” he says, with a slightly sheepish smile. “Anyone who says it doesn’t is lying! But at the same time, I look forward to that. It’s bucket list stuff.”
Persistent positivity appears to be Gillian's standard approach. She is currently wearing a cozy green shaggy sweater with matching track pants. What others might view negatively she manages to see optimistically, even when unfavorable circumstances impact her professional path. For instance, consider the show's cancelation. The Lateish Show In December 2023, this was quickly followed by the cancellation of his newly launched Saturday night game show on BBC One, a version of America’s Jimmy Fallon-fronted program. That’s My Jam , which failed to make much impact on this side of the Atlantic. Surely that would have discouraged him somewhat? Not at all.
"If a series isn't continued for any reason, well, that's simply how things go in this industry," remarks Gilligan with a casual demeanor. The Lateish Show Transformed my life. I managed to produce a show that truly reflected who I am, converse with guests whom I had previously only admired from afar, and consistently attract a full house each week." Moreover, the influence of the show extended well past television viewership figures and accolades at awards ceremonies. As Gilligan stated in 2019, "I could list on just one hand all the Black British comedians who’ve gotten their own shows." The Lateish Show It wasn't just a significant moment in Gilligan's career; it marked a groundbreaking achievement for the entire industry, introducing "Black boy joy" to televisions across the nation.
“Like, having Michael McIntyre and Ashley Walters do a funny Top Boy Sketches combining various forms of entertainment—I doubt we'll see anything quite like that happening again," remarks Gilligan. "This had an impact on both culture and society, and it played a role in advancing my career in certain respects. Therefore, I cannot honestly say, 'I wish for its return; it wasn't fair,' and have a tantrum over it. Instead, I've managed to embark on a global tour thanks to it!
Read Next: Reverend Richard Coles: 'It Was Pleasant to Sleep With a Star From "Love Island"'
And regarding the fleeting one That’s My Jam Filmed in Los Angeles, that marked his significant Hollywood moment—he even followed behind Jimmy Fallon when the American host was filming an episode with Kelly Clarkson and Ariana Grande. Gilligan enthusiastically elaborates about this event for approximately five minutes, using gestures as he recalls his initial arrival at the studio lot, which also contained Pixar Studios and various others. Back to the Future He stays confidently optimistic, even discussing the series' cancelation. "Having produced a show shot for the BBC in the U.S., if I were to pass away right this moment, I'd be content," he chuckles. "Let me tell you, I once made video recordings from my mother's balcony in southeast London; thus, getting to complete at least one season feels great."
Gilligan grew up with his single mom in Camberwell. "Although we didn't have much, we never realized how little we actually had," he recalls about his upbringing. "Even if our meals were simple—like corned beef and rice—it seemed perfectly fine. And when my mom managed to do some bigger shopping, it would feel amazing; 'Look at all these treats!' We'd get excited over yogurt, find boxed apple juice in the refrigerator, and enjoy chips. These small luxuries stood out for us kids." He adds, "Our vacations weren’t fancy—we might visit Cardiff to meet relatives instead. School breaks meant spending every day outside from morning till night, which made me feel endlessly happy."
But it was at secondary school in central London where his interest in performing blossomed. That is, in large part, thanks to his drama teacher Miss Simpson, who also taught Top Boy and Adolescence Actor Ashley Walters spoke about an experience a few years prior to "Gilligan." He mentioned, "'She was the first grown-up in my life who told me, 'You're really talented'—my mom certainly didn't dismiss doing so, yet she had various concerns,'” he explains. “Educators often point out when children excel academically. However, for those lacking self-assurance, offering such validation can create a lasting impact. When someone tells you, 'Hey, you're great at this,' it spurs your motivation indefinitely. Since then, all I desired was to keep pursuing performance roles.”
Gilligan aspired to attend The Brit School for performing arts but instead enrolled at Middlesex University, focusing on theater production. "After graduating, I lacked headshots, hadn't registered with Spotlight [a casting website], and had nothing else prepared for my career," he explains. "But that was fine because it was all about gaining knowledge and getting hands-on experience."
Nevertheless, the lifestyle of a performing arts graduate in the city isn’t exactly glamorous. "Whether you believe me or not, I had to sign on—sitting there every week, stating that I've applied for jobs at places like Tesco," he remarks candidly, almost implying that pursuing stand-up comedy seemed like an inevitable answer to financial instability. Gilligan earned his initial £50 from participating in a friend-organized comedy contest. He recalls this moment fondly: "This was my first experience getting compensated for doing what I truly enjoy. From then on, I continued working hard, taking on more performances and refining my comedic skills." Though he has always considered himself humorous, transforming raw humor into a refined skill proved challenging.
Read Next: Ed Byrne: 'I've never been to therapy. It would probably reduce my sense of humor'
It's evident that all the hard work has finally paid off. However, after maintaining an unrelenting pace for several years, Gilligan is starting to learn how to ease up—albeit slightly. Following his major performance at The O2, the comic intends to spend the summer in London, reconnecting with long-time buddies and fully immersing himself once more in the city that shaped him into who he is today. "Last summer, I traveled to Australia during their wintertime, missing out on my sunshine," he shares. "But this year, I’m looking forward to truly enjoying summertime, getting back to writing, and performing in smaller gigs around town."
Life doesn’t have to race along at breakneck speed, and that’s perfectly fine. Gilligan has wrapped up the TV series and completed worldwide tours; he’s received numerous awards and honors, ticking many items off his bucket list. At this point, what truly counts is enjoying the fruits of his labor—be it indulging in some new solar-powered outdoor lighting or constructing an additional cabinet.
"When everything feels fresh and exciting, every upcoming call seems destined for transformation. Yet as time races forward..." To make his case, he rapidly sketches hypothetical obligations—journeys to take, performances to deliver—and they pile up quickly indeed. With a deep breath, he continues, "But now, I find myself enjoying the advantages of both realms. Whether it’s starring in a TV series or attending awards shows, I genuinely relish these moments." Mo Gilligan leans back into his seat with a grin and remarks casually, “All I care about is being right where I am.”
Mo Gilligan’s In The Moment World Tour It continues its run in the UK throughout April. The last performance will be at The O2 arena in London on May 31st.