January 1989 - S Lee's 4th stand-up gig, supporting the comedian Tony Brennan, Jazz Cellar, Oxford. Tony has given up comedy but is still a respected Morris Dancer.

July 1989 - The director Stewart Lee contemplates escape from his poorly received touring student show, in Southampton, having just been interviewed by Fern Britton for local television. (Photo Simon Mills)

August 1989 - The 99p Cabaret, somewhere on Prince's Street during Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Stew is described as 'best stand-up on the fringe' by papers that don't know he is a student and thus beneath contempt.

September 1989 - Lee moves to London to do stand-up. Living in a shared house in Acton he works as temp and a researcher into history of gardening at Kew Gardens. 1st try out gig - Acton Banana Sept 89. Don't look for it, it's not there anymore. 1st paid gig Balham Banana Oct 1989 with funny-man David Baddiel and rubber faced clown Alistair McGowan. Died.