Alexander Armstrong, best known as one half of the comedy duo Armstrong and Miller and as the presenter of the quiz show 'Pointless', has opened up about his childhood, parenting, and the shift in priorities that came with having children. The 51-year-old, who grew up in Northumberland as the youngest of three children, described his upbringing as 'enormously good fun' despite the lack of modern comforts.
Armstrong recalled living in a house without central heating or airtight walls, and being teased at school for his 'posh voice' despite the family's modest means. His father was a GP, and the family home often doubled as a surgery when the practice was closed. Armstrong praised his parents for being relaxed yet strict on manners, encouraging their children to follow their instincts while also expecting hard work and chores.
Now a father of four boys aged 10 and under, Armstrong admitted that fatherhood was not something he could simply 'clock in and clock out of'. He described himself as the 'good cop' but also the 'tedious cop', often preaching about the dangers of too much TV or device use. 'I have lost count of the number of times I have told them about TV corroding their minds,' he said.
Armstrong confessed that at home, he feels like 'the bumbling old fool in the corner', and his children have yet to find him funny. 'I am struggling to remember a time when any of my children have laughed at anything I have said,' he remarked, though he hopes they will eventually appreciate his humour.
The comedian emphasised that family is now his priority, a significant shift from earlier in his career. 'That was the crucial change in my life when we had children because, up to that point, my priority was very much my career,' he explained. He now sees his work as a means to support his family, acknowledging the tricky balance between the two.
