North London Food & Culture

Ich Bin Kentishtowner: Rick Edwards, Television Presenter



TV’s Rick Edwards is one of NW5’s most vocal celeb supporters, right down to his Twitter bio which states his location as ‘Kentish Town, obviously’. A Cambridge graduate who dabbled with comedy during his time there, he’s gone on to become one of Channel 4’s key faces, hosting shows across E4, C4 and T4. Most recently he was Paralympic Games breakfast show presenter, plus wrote and produced the Olympic-themed series of BBC Comedy Online shorts ‘Games On’. He’s back on our screens again tonight, presenting a third series of Tool Academy on E4 at 10pm.

When were you happiest?
When I first moved into Kentish Town – a big house at the top end of Torriano Avenue. Me and my four best friends from uni had a lot of fun prolonging our student lifestyles (eating pasta, drinking cider, playing FIFA etc). And I didn’t have a mortgage then.

Where would you like to live in the manor?
Leverton St. I’m forever ogling those little pastel houses. Or Kelly St. Same reason.


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What is your favourite sound or smell?
I don’t really have a sense of smell, so I feel this is an unfair question. My favourite sound is probably the roar emanating from O’Reilly’s during football games. It gets very lively in there.

What is your greatest life achievement?
Thus far, there’s not been a great deal. I’m hoping to achieve more in the future. I suppose I’ve written some short films that I’m quite proud of. And I feel very privileged to have been involved with this year’s Paralympic Games.

What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
Don’t wait for other people to either help you, or give you permission, to do something. Just get on and do it yourself. Unless it’s illegal.

What is your earliest K-Town memory?
Going out in Camden, getting drunk, and then lost, and wandering aimlessly up Kentish Town Road. Ending up at the Assembly House (which might not have been called that then). This would have been in about 1999 I think.

What makes you unhappy?
The bin area outside my best friend’s flat on Fortess Rd. I spend a lot of time waiting for him out there, and it is disgusting. It’s like a bloody landfill.

What simple thing would improve your quality of life?
A better lawn. The lawn in my garden is a patchy, unkempt mess. Every day I look out of the window and it taunts me. I hate that lawn so much. It’s supposed to be ‘wild flower turf’. Which, it transpires, is indistinguishable from ‘massive weeds turf’.

What is your most unappealing habit?
I think I spend too much time with my hand lingering on my crotch. It’s there right now. I just find it very comforting. Not great in company, though.

What is your guilty pleasure?
Kentish Delight, the kebab shop. I always regret it, and yet I keep going back. Same applies to the breakfasts in Mamma Mia. It’s like a compulsion for me.

Where do you hang out?
Pubs, mainly. Playing backgammon. We’re so spoilt around here. The Vine; The Junction; The Pineapple; The Oxford; The Abbey; The Lord Palmerston; The Grafton now… I very rarely leave Kentish Town. Why would I?

Who or what do you hate and why?
Piers Morgan. Just because of his personality. On a more serious note, I detest animal cruelty. It gets me very upset.

What do you most dislike about your appearance?
I’m not too fussed about my appearance. I guess I’d have smaller nostrils and bigger ears if possible. Is that possible? Can you make that happen for me?

Where would you live if you could live anywhere in London and why?
Kentish Town, obviously. Or one of those big double-fronted palaces in Dartmouth Park.

Tell us a secret.
I tell everyone that I ‘built my own bike’. But in reality, I just bought all the parts. And then a man put it together for me. Shhhhh.

What has your career taught you?
It’s possible to get paid to do stuff that shouldn’t really constitute ‘work’ e.g. reading out loud.

What is your favourite dish and why?
Monsoon is my favourite curry house, so I’d have to say their Chicken Kurzhi. Bloody delicious.

What is your best gig and why?
I saw Klaxons support Arctic Monkeys at a secret gig (well, secret-ish) at The Forum in 2006. Both bands were incredible. I’d not even heard of Klaxons at the time. That didn’t stop me waving a glowstick around and sweating like a pig.

Describe yourself as an animal.
Pig.

Ich Bin Kentishtowner comes in association with longstanding local the Lord Palmerston, which can be found at 33 Dartmouth Park Hill. Manager Stephen is offering readers a free starter or dessert to run alongside either the all-day menu or lunch deal (one main & glass of wine/beer for £10). Bargainous, eh? Just mention The Kentishtowner when booking or ordering.

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About Kentishtowner

The award-winning print and online title Kentishtowner was founded in 2010 and is part of London Belongs To Me, a citywide network of travel guides for locals. For more info on what we write about and why, see our About section.