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Rob Brydon says he’s happy not to be ‘cool’ and reveals his surprising friendship with Noel Gallagher

Rob Brydon performed on the main stage at charity fundraiser Car Fest South dressed as an Elvis impersonator, August, 2022. (Getty Images)
Rob Brydon performed on the main stage at charity fundraiser Car Fest South dressed as an Elvis impersonator, 2022. (Getty Images)

You might not put rock star Noel Gallagher and host of BBC1's Would I Lie To You? Rob Brydon together. But Brydon, one of Britain’s best-known comedians, is full of surprises.

The dad-of-five appears in some of Britain’s most-loved TV shows, yet as he tells presenter Kate Thornton on Yahoo's White Wine Question Time podcast this week, he's a family man who remains close to friends from school, including Ruth Jones, his Gavin & Stacey co-star.

Read more: Rob Brydon has 'one hell of a bond' with Gavin & Stacey's Ruth Jones

The down-to-earth, 57-year-old comedian switches comfortably between weekend camping at CarFest with his wife Clare, his kids, and 'another couple of families', to singing in front of thousands with Coldplay and hanging out with Noel Gallagher.

Rob Brydon (r) shared details of his friendship with Noel Gallagher on the White Wine Question Time podcast. (Getty)
Rob Brydon (r) shared details of his friendship with Noel Gallagher on the White Wine Question Time podcast. (Getty)

"I've never been concerned with being cool and, as a result, never have been," he cheerfully told Thornton in his trademark Welsh lilt.

Indeed, it was as much of a surprise to Brydon as anyone else when he became friends with 'super cool' Gallagher, partly bonding over their shared excitement at meeting Bruce Springsteen.

"It's a funny thing when you find yourself becoming chums with someone like that, when you sort of hit it off," the comedian admitted.

"Every time I've met Noel, we’ve always got on like a house on fire."

Listen to the full episode to hear Rob Brydon set straight rumours that he 'stole' lunch money from his old school friend Catherine Zeta-Jones

The relaxed approach of a man who once played Noddy is echoed in the appreciation he shows for his whole career, even the less starry, early parts. The disappointment of losing a few early lines in his first film, the 1995 medieval blockbuster First Knight, for Brydon, quickly became a positive.

"I mean it’s bloody Sean Connery and Richard Gere," he chuckled. As a result, Brydon shared scenes with Gere. "I got to observe him at close quarter," he added. "He was suitably dazzling and film star-like."

Rob Brydon kept podcast host Kate Thornton entertained, discussing family life and setting straight those rumours from his school days with Catherine Zeta-Jones. (Supplied)
Rob Brydon kept podcast host Kate Thornton entertained, discussing family life and setting straight those rumours from his school days with Catherine Zeta-Jones. (Supplied)

Brydon’s later, own stellar career led to friendships with his personal heroes such as Ronnie Corbett, who lent Brydon his famous glasses as he did an impression of Corbett on stage. "I'm thinking, 'Oh, my God, what's he doing?’" Brydon told Thornton. "The audience just went crazy. I mean, it was very special."

While Brydon said it’s "very rare" he’d ask a fellow celebrity for a selfie, he did break the rule with Bruce Springsteen. Brydon’s friend took the photo of them. "He said, 'Oh Bobby. It was hilarious, your hand was shaking.'"

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 26:  (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK TABLOID NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 48 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME. MANDATORY CREDIT PHOTO BY DAVE M. BENETT/GETTY IMAGES REQUIRED)  (L-R) Ronnie Corbett, Rob Brydon and Michael McIntyre attend the South Bank Show Awards, at The Dorchester on January 26, 2010 in London, England.  (Photo by Dave M. Benett/Getty Images)
(L-R) Ronnie Corbett, Rob Brydon and Michael McIntyre sharing a joke together in, 2010. (Dave M. Benett/Getty Images)

Today, Brydon is trusted by his celebrity circle to interview them on his popular podcast, Brydon &. It's a place where guests such as Kenneth Branagh, Chris Martin and Martin Sheen tell Brydon their funny, personal and sometimes emotional stories.

As for his own emotions, Brydon claims to keep that for his family. "The kids will often say, 'Oh, Dad's filling up,’" he said, before adding that he cries on "birthdays" where he feels "the passing of time", and "nice moments" with his children that make him "feel very proud. That will make me want to have a little cry."

Watch: Rob Brydon discusses singing with lifelong friend Ruth Jones