It pays to be slightly mental

Tony Hancock comes off stage with the audience's cheers and laughter ringing in his ears. It's his best night ever. He goes to the dressing room, sits down with his head in his hands, despondent. His agent says, "Tony, why are you so upset? The audience loved it!" Hancock replies, "I know. How can I top that?"

The Independent looks at the link between madness and inspiration:

Mental illnesses have been around for thousands of years. Evolutionary theory suggests that in order for them to be still here, there must be some kind of survival advantage to them.