Comedian Skinner lost "millions" in recession

TV comedian Frank Skinner has revealed that he lost millions of pounds as a result of the economic downturn. Speaking on the BBC Radio 4 show Desert Island Discs, the funnyman admitted he had become a "victim of the credit crunch" after investing in the American International Group (AIG) which nearly went bust two years ago. And Skinner said that the loss had forced him to "take stock" of his life - but added that there had been a positive side to his experience. "It also gave me my hunger back, I think," he said. "If anything put the mojo back in me it was the idea that I might not have money left. "I'm not a very extravagant man really," he added, "as long as I have got a season ticket for West Bromwich Albion. I drive a very run-of-the-mill car, I do live in a posh flat, I must admit - I like a nice view." Skinner said he did not spend much on clothes but had splashed out £11,000 for a shirt belonging to Elvis Presley. "He has kind of been my hero for as long as I can remember," he said. The comedian also discussed family life, drinking problems and his love of football on the show - admitting he wanted to be a footballer but he had been "awful" on the pitch.

Patrick McLennan is a London-based journalist and documentary maker who has worked as a writer, sub-editor, digital editor and TV producer in the UK and New Zealand. His CV includes spells as a news producer at the BBC and TVNZ, as well as web editor for Time Inc UK. He has produced TV news and entertainment features on personalities as diverse as Nick Cave, Tom Hardy, Clive James, Jodie Marsh and Kevin Bacon and he co-produced and directed The Ponds, which has screened in UK cinemas, BBC Four and is currently available on Netflix.

An entertainment writer with a diverse taste in TV and film, he lists Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Chase, The Thick of It and Detectorists among his favourite shows, but steers well clear of most sci-fi.