Don't follow your dreams, says Comedy Store founder

What shall we do with all our young unemployed? Peter Rosengard has the answer. The founder of the Comedy Store launched his memoirs at Claridge’s last night, with Peter York, Royal Academy chief executive Charles Saumarez Smith and comedian Clive Anderson among those raising a glass of champagne to him.

In the Sixties Rosengard's parents had despaired that their long-haired, bearded, DJ son would come to no good and pushed him to start selling insurance. He was a natural and made a mint.

Rosengard’s advice to those scrabbling for a job? “Become a life insurance salesman,” he said. “A life of fast cars and beautiful women.”