The comedy ace and actor discusses his first autobiography, written in an A to Z format. “For instance, B is for baldy – which is what people used to shout at me in the playground,” he says before a talk in Brighton.

You talk openly about going bald at the age of six and the lack of bald men in the public eye when you were growing up. Who were your role models as a child and how important were they to you?

Duncan Goodhew, because he was hairless and a winner. And Kojak, because he could always get hold of a lollipop.

You talk about your time at Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys School in the book. How important were your schooldays in encouraging your love of theatre and what is your happiest memory from school?

The school plays were my escape and also in school holidays my mum and grandma would take me to the West End to see shows. There was nothing more thrilling than when the lights went down and the overture began.

Who are your comedy heroes and why?

Laurel and Hardy and Reeves and Mortimer. Perfect chemistry. Like brothers. Destined to be together.

Is there anyone you’ve never had the chance to work with but would love to?

Mike Leigh and Shane Meadows spring to mind. Chris Morris. And I think I would love to appear on stage with Nathan Lane and Patti Lupone.

You did your time on the comedy circuit before success with Shooting Stars and Little Britain. Do you have any advice for young comedians starting out?

Yes, record every gig on your phone and listen to it on the way home. It’s never as bad (or as good) as you thought.

Little Britain was a defining moment in British comedy. Are there any characters you regret or ones you’d love to recreate and work on again?

There are some I like more than others and certainly some I wouldn’t do now, but few I regret. It was a show of its time. I would love to play Marjorie again but I think things are different now and it would be considered fat-shaming. You have to move with the times.

You’ve created and played so many characters. Do you have a favourite and who is in your top five list to play?

Probably Marjorie, Andy Pipkin, maybe Taaj from Come Fly With Me. I used to enjoy playing Gary Barlow. My favourite is Pompidou.

You are much loved by Doctor Who fans. What do you like about Nardole and does he love the new female Doctor Who?

I liked playing Nardole, because, let’s face it, how often do you get to play a hybrid of alien, robot and human? He’s a one-off. And I’ve loved all the Doctors. I doubt Nardole has any interest in the concept of love. There are worlds to save.

What’s your best memory of Brighton?

Buying Sadly, Mist – a beautiful painting by Philip Dunn, and meeting him in the shop.

Matt Lucas: Little Me – My Life from A to Z, Brighton Dome, October 6, 8pm, for more information call 01273 709709 or visit brightondome.org