The Moment Andy Lee Feared His Antics with Hamish Blake Had Gone Too Far

Andy Lee is a comedian and a TV personality. He is one of six celebrities interviewed on this season of The Assembly.

For more than two decades, Andy Lee and Hamish Blake have been making people laugh on their adventures.

But Lee said there were times they pushed their comedy too far.

In fact, in one incident, Lee said he genuinely feared for Blake's life.

The pair had travelled to Bosnia for their Gap Year series, to jump 25 metres from a bridge in Mostar.

After seeking the advice of a local jumper, it was decided Lee would be the first to make the leap.

I'm not particularly scared of heights, but Hamish is, Lee told ABC iview's The Assembly.

Lee said the jump left him completely winded and with every vertebrae in his back bruised.

It was extremely painful, he said.

But Blake had already stepped over the rail and was teetering on the edge.

That's the time I felt the most scared for my friend and thought, 'We shouldn't be doing this.'

For their 2012 TV show, Andy Lee organised for him and Hamish Blake to jump off the Mostar Bridge in Bosnia.

Blake emerged from the jump unscathed, but Lee hadn't been so lucky two years earlier.

These two front teeth are fake, Lee said.

I smashed them playing ice hockey with Hamish.

They had to rebuild my jawline with cow bone.

'Do I exist without Hamish?'

Not even the loss of two front teeth tested the pair's friendship, with Lee full of praise for his comedy partner and best mate.

He's so funny, Lee said.

But beyond funniness, he's an amazing friend.

Lee said he always knew an adventure was in store when he spent time with Blake.

I'm not saying that every friend has to be this outrageous, funny, adventurous person, but that's what draws me to Hame.

Hamish Blake and Andy Lee started performing on radio together in the early 2000s.

But like the best of us, Lee said Blake had his fair share of foibles.

Hamish, as he put it himself, is 'fast and loose'. So he's very unpredictable at times.

Like the time Lee was waiting at a cafe for Blake to arrive.

He picked up the phone and says, 'Do you think we need a radar gun? I'm at the cricket shop — it could be fun to see how fast we're bowling,'

Neither of us really play cricket, but this is the impulsive nature of Hame — he gets on the scent of something like an excitable dog hound and off he goes.

It normally follows fun and adventure … which I've benefited from many, many times.

Lee and Blake have always encouraged each other to pursue opportunities individually.

But Lee's candid about the self-doubt he's felt at times when taking on solo projects.

When we are doing something so strong together — and I think the world of the way he performs — 'If I'm without him, what am I? Am I good enough?'

Hamish is a safety blanket. I have to work much harder when I am not around him.

The secret to winning at life

After their long working relationship, comparisons between Blake and Lee are inevitable.

But when asked who's 'winning at life', Lee was quick to claim that he was.

I'm absolutely content with my fiancee and trying to build a house with my dog, he said.

Andy Lee is enjoying life with fiancee Rebecca Harding, and their dog Henri, as they restore an abandoned Victorian-era manor.

While Lee understands the 'power of money', he doesn't see it as the best measure of success — or happiness.

I've got a friend of mine who just works nine to five labouring. [He] clocks off, goes to the pub, hangs out with friends and has the best time and doesn't worry about work.

I actually think he's the most successful, because it's exactly what he wants to do, and he feels really content.

So if you're content with what you're doing, I think you're winning life.

Stream all episodes of The Assembly on ABC iview or watch Sundays on ABC TV at 8:30pm.

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