Watch him in costume and theres no sense that Lilley is anyone but the character hes playing.
Lilley has been dressing up as other people since his school days.
To create his characters, observe is exactly what Lilley did, and he started close to home.
Friends teenage daughters were also a resource for pinning down detail, according to Lilley.
As for Lilleys use of Facebook, it explains Jamies unrelenting chorus of ILYs, FMLs and YOLOs.
Its about finding the rhythm of reality, according to Lilley.
Creating Jonah Takalua also took a great deal of first-hand research.
Lilley has spoken about the awkwardness of finally meeting his supporting casts in civvies at wrap parties.
After spending weeks filming with Jamie or Jonah, being presented with Lilley himself must be unsettling.
Call it the Barry Humphreys effect.
Its also often affecting.
These and more are heartrending moments designed by Lilley, not just by-products of fart gags.
Theyre comic characters Lilley gets underneath the skin of and makes you feel for.
Lilley constantly prompts this kind of interrogation.
His portrayals of Jonah and even monstrous egotist Jamie are ultimately humanising.
That said, Lilleys clearly a comic unafraid to make people feel uncomfortable.
He appears to relish it.
Why else would he say that S.Mouses anti-paedophile rap Hot Children was his favourite self-penned song?
Or her CGI-assisted topless scene in the final episode?
The approach has earned him a reputation, whether accurate or not, for being shy.
What next for Lilley?
Hes said he doesnt do part twos, but instead each series evolves out of the previous one.
Jonah From Tonga starts tonight, Thursday the 8thof May, on BBC Three.
