Adam Kay has had an interesting career path.

The UK comedian and bestselling author started off as a doctor, leaving after undiagnosed symptoms led to severe complications and a stillborn during one of his surgeries.

He went on to write This is Going to Hurt, a book based on the diaries he wrote during his time as a doctor, which went on to sell more than five million copies worldwide.

Kay has since turned the book into a comedy show which sold out on the West End, and was also turned into a miniseries.

He’s bringing the comedy show to kiwi audiences as part of the NZ International Comedy Festival, taking to the stage on May 1st.

Coming from a very normal background, fame has been interesting for Kay, telling Mike Hosking that it’s been weird to have people come up and ask for photos.

“It’s quite weird that more people know me than I know people,” he said.

“But I’m getting used to it and I’m just, I’m glad all these people have watched my shows, or read my books, or whatever and want to say hi.”

Performing on stage has a different energy to selling books, the latter being quite abstract according to Kay.

“You get an email from the publisher saying congratulations on this many copies, or it’s been published in this many languages, but going on stage, and you know, speaking, hopefully amusing people in their, in their thousands, it’s like nothing on earth.”

LISTEN ABOVE

Adam Kay has had an interesting career path. 
The UK comedian and bestselling author started off as a doctor, leaving after undiagnosed symptoms led to severe complications and a stillborn during one of his surgeries. 
He went on to write This is Going to Hurt, a book based on the diaries he wrote during his time as a doctor, which went on to sell more than five million copies worldwide. 
Kay has since turned the book into a comedy show which sold out on the West End, and was also turned into a miniseries. 
He’s bringing the comedy show to kiwi audiences as part of the NZ International Comedy Festival, taking to the stage on May 1st. 
Coming from a very normal background, fame has been interesting for Kay, telling Mike Hosking that it’s been weird to have people come up and ask for photos. 
“It’s quite weird that more people know me than I know people,” he said. 
“But I’m getting used to it and I’m just, I’m glad all these people have watched my shows, or read my books, or whatever and want to say hi.” 
Performing on stage has a different energy to selling books, the latter being quite abstract according to Kay. 
“You get an email from the publisher saying congratulations on this many copies, or it’s been published in this many languages, but going on stage, and you know, speaking, hopefully amusing people in their, in their thousands, it’s like nothing on earth.” 
LISTEN ABOVE

Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show.

Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda.

The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion, delivers the best talent, and always leaves you wanting more.

The Mike Hosking Breakfast always cuts through and delivers the best daily on Newstalk ZB.

Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show. Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda. The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion, delivers the best talent, and always leaves you wanting more. The Mike Hosking Breakfast always cuts through and delivers the best daily on Newstalk ZB.

Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show.

Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda.

The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion,...

The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Adam Kay: UK Comedian and bestselling author on his success and bringing 'This is Going to Hurt' to the NZ International Comedy Festival

It’s a sad, old business when part of your market update is the cost of the violent crime you are having to deal with.

Michael Hill this week talked of the sort of things businesses talk of; the downturn, the mood, the spend and the consumer. All of it's bad right now for obvious reasons.

What is interesting is they said of the various countries they operate in that New Zealand is the worst in terms of sentiment.

I wonder why.

But they talked too of the cost of security and the cost of crime, the cost of closing one of their shops because of crime.

They are not the first of course. We have previously heard from Briscoes and the millions they have to put aside each year to offset the carnage that takes place at their outlets.

Last week One NZ closed one of their shops because of damage and crime.

They told the stories of the fear of staff, all the security issues and training required and the manager who was held by the scruff of the neck for ten minutes over a returned product.

Who needs it?

That’s before you get to the astonishing footage of the petrol station attendant, who got the life beaten out of him by some thug who literally laid into him and wouldn’t stop.

He now awaits surgery on an eye, among other injuries.

So, the question is - when does it stop? When do things change? How many videos do we need to watch before the much hyped and promised crackdown happens?

The 18-year-old from the petrol station has been arrested and charged. How many years does he go to prison for? Does he go to prison? Does he have a sob story?

When do major New Zealand retailers stop having to regale the sharemarket with their profit-sapping stories of jungle behaviour and frightened staff?

No Government can solve this sort of malaise instantly, or overnight, or perhaps even quickly.

But my word, the pressure is on. When you watch that petrol station video, and we all should, we look third world, and we look lawless.

My fear is the treatment of such behaviour still leans towards forgiveness, as opposed to what should actually be happening.

It’s a sad, old business when part of your market update is the cost of the violent crime you are having to deal with. 
Michael Hill this week talked of the sort of things businesses talk of; the downturn, the mood, the spend and the consumer. All of it's bad right now for obvious reasons. 
What is interesting is they said of the various countries they operate in that New Zealand is the worst in terms of sentiment. 
I wonder why. 
But they talked too of the cost of security and the cost of crime, the cost of closing one of their shops because of crime. 
They are not the first of course. We have previously heard from Briscoes and the millions they have to put aside each year to offset the carnage that takes place at their outlets. 
Last week One NZ closed one of their shops because of damage and crime. 
They told the stories of the fear of staff, all the security issues and training required and the manager who was held by the scruff of the neck for ten minutes over a returned product. 
Who needs it? 
That’s before you get to the astonishing footage of the petrol station attendant, who got the life beaten out of him by some thug who literally laid into him and wouldn’t stop. 
He now awaits surgery on an eye, among other injuries. 
So, the question is - when does it stop? When do things change? How many videos do we need to watch before the much hyped and promised crackdown happens? 
The 18-year-old from the petrol station has been arrested and charged. How many years does he go to prison for? Does he go to prison? Does he have a sob story? 
When do major New Zealand retailers stop having to regale the sharemarket with their profit-sapping stories of jungle behaviour and frightened staff? 
No Government can solve this sort of malaise instantly, or overnight, or perhaps even quickly. 
But my word, the pressure is on. When you watch that petrol station video, and we all should, we look third world, and we look lawless. 
My fear is the treatment of such behaviour still leans towards forgiveness, as opposed to what should actually be happening.

Mike's Minute: Yet more questions about solving crime

It's a day of shame after an inquiry into Britain's infected blood scandal suggests a cover up.

More than 30,000 people received infected blood and products in the 1970s and 80s from the state-funded National Health Service.

3000 people died and thousands more contracted hepatitis or HIV.

The inquiry's found the government hid the truth to save face and expense.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is pledging financial compensation for those impacted.

He says they'll pay whatever the scheme costs, with details laid out tomorrow.

LISTEN ABOVE

It's a day of shame after an inquiry into Britain's infected blood scandal suggests a cover up. 
More than 30,000 people received infected blood and products in the 1970s and 80s from the state-funded National Health Service. 
3000 people died and thousands more contracted hepatitis or HIV. 
The inquiry's found the government hid the truth to save face and expense. 
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is pledging financial compensation for those impacted. 
He says they'll pay whatever the scheme costs, with details laid out tomorrow. 
LISTEN ABOVE

Rod Liddle: UK Correspondent on the inquiry into Britain's infected blood scandal and the coverup

A new model is being proposed to give more local councils more control.

Local Government New Zealand's calling on the government to adopt city and regional deals, a system that would see local and central government team up for local projects.

It's hoped the arrangement would allow for more decentralisation.

Local Government New Zealand President Sam Broughton told Mike Hosking that it's been a success in places such as the UK, Australia, and the Netherlands, but New Zealand must figure out its own solution.

LISTEN ABOVE

A new model is being proposed to give more local councils more control. 
Local Government New Zealand's calling on the government to adopt city and regional deals, a system that would see local and central government team up for local projects. 
It's hoped the arrangement would allow for more decentralisation. 
Local Government New Zealand President Sam Broughton told Mike Hosking that it's been a success in places such as the UK, Australia, and the Netherlands, but New Zealand must figure out its own solution. 
LISTEN ABOVE

Adam Kay: UK Comedian and bestselling author on his success and bringing 'This is Going to Hurt' to the NZ International Comedy Festival

In 1 playlist(s)

The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips