The multi-award winning comedian Mark Watson's humour is on route to the Pyramid Studio Theatre in Warrington. We caught up with him to find out what we can look forward to in the show and his writing and radio projects.
Mark Watson by Kirstie Young
You're currently in the middle of your new tour, so what can audiences expect from your latest offering 'I'm Not Here'?
My last show was about some dark times in my life, and this follows on from it. I like to think I'm getting more personal with audiences as I go on. But still in a funny way.
You're the star of numerous TV shows including Live at the Apollo and Mock of the Week so which of your TV appearances has been your most memorable so far and why?
The first time I was on Have I Got News, probably, because I remember thinking 'I used to watch this on TV and now I'm IN the TV.' Also I got to do the FA Cup draw once. Bucket-list stuff.
You also have your own cult Radio 4 series Mark Watson Makes the World Substantially Better and Mark Watson Talks a Bit About Life. For those who haven't tuned in yet what can you tell us about these?
The radio shows are a continuation of what I do on stage, but with a couple of henchmen. It's some of the work I'm proudest of. People don't always realise what a reach radio has.
You have been described by The Times as 'terrifyingly funny', so what's so scary about your comedy?
Well, sometimes it's just too much to take and people are rushed to hospital with laughter-related injuries. So you can see why audiences would be a bit scared.
You are also an author so has the discipline of writing for your shows helped you to also write books?
Although related, they're two different disciplines for me. I don't write much down when it comes to stand-up; it all comes from a long process of trial and error. Whereas with books, obviously I do tend to write them down. The publishers prefer it that way.
How do you juggle your time between all of your responsibilities and do you have a preference for any of them?
It's extremely hard, the juggling act, especially with family as well. I don't know if I have a preference; I like the combination really. When I'm writing all the time, I get itchy to be on stage, but if I don't get enough solid time to write, I start to yearn for that. The grass is always greener.
You wrote a book called Crap at the Environment in 2008, so when did your passion to halve your carbon footprint begin and what efforts did you make to do so?
It began when I saw Al Gore's Inconvenient Truth film. I got involved in low-level environmentalism and trying to help other people who were 'crap' at it to make small changes. I switched to green energy and tried to cut my food miles, stuff like that. And then I went on a course with the actual Al Gore and ended up lecturing on climate change.
Who were your most significant influences in the world of comedy as you were starting out?
There weren't many because there was much less comedy on TV, for example. So I was largely influenced by people like Chris Addison who I worked with very early in my career. Or Lee Mack is another example. In terms of live stuff I was probably more affected by bands - I went to a lot of live music and that gave me the taste for the idea of getting up in front of a crowd.
You have appeared with many other comedians on TV during your time in the spotlight, so who do you enjoy working with the most?
My friend Tim Key is someone I've done several different shows with, and likewise Alex Horne. Those would be my favourites- nothing's better than working with friends. But as time goes on you've all got your own projects and it becomes more and more tricky even to meet for a drink.
What is next for you?
I've got another novel coming out in July, a murder story set in Dubai. And the tour goes for another fifty shows, so that's enough to be going on with...