O'Hanlon criticises Opik's comedy move

Former Father Ted star Ardal O'Hanlon has criticised Lembit Opik's decision to launch a career as a stand-up comedian.

Opik, who once dated Cheeky Girl Gabriela Irimia, has been pursuing his new ambition ever since losing his seat as an MP in Montgomeryshire. He performed his first major gig at the Glastonbury Festival last weekend.

However, speaking to the Daily Express, O'Hanlon remarked: "I don't see the funny side of it at all. I kind of object to it, hugely. Whenever I see celebrities straying into stand-up comedy I feel it's disrespectful.

"I think in Lembit Opik's case, it's clearly a publicity stunt as he tries to forge a new career. That's fair enough. But I think, 'Why choose stand-up comedy?' You choose it because you don't respect it as an art form.

"You know, it's not just a case of getting up and opening your mouth - you really have to put a lot of effort into it, you really have to learn your craft, you have to try to figure out what works and what doesn't."

O'Hanlon, who has had a stand-up career since the early '90s, will launch his own latest tour in October.