In a few days Al Murray could be taking his seat in Parliament. Unlikely, admittedly, but his decision to stand at the FUKP candidate in Thanet South could just possibly have an effect on the result as this is a pretty close seat, with Nigel Farage one of the other contenders. If he doesn't get to be an MP Murray still has a career as a stand-up. His Pub Landlord character is two decades old and for reasons that hardly need explaining is more relevant than ever. You can watch a documentary about his political campaign on Dave at 10pm on May 7 and catch the Landlord on tour. Dates below. This is a version of a review that first appeared in the Evening Standard in March.

Last week Al Murray’s Pub Landlord attempted to parachute into Kent, where he plans to stand against Nigel Farage in the General Election. Unfortunately he was deemed overweight. “Health and safety gone mad” bellowed the mock-barman last night during his part-gig, part-party political broadcast. Or should that be portly political broadcast?

The Landlord has always talked about this country going to the dogs and now, fronting his FUKP Party, he has a political platform. All he needs are policies. In a lively Q&A his fans asked questions and he hatched a manifesto. His suggestions of having Jimmy Carr as Chancellor and privatising pubs went down particularly well.

Before then the audience was treated to some priceless quickfire wit as he chatted and waved his beer glass around. Discovering a man in the first row was a train driver, he speedily said “that’s why you’re at the front.” A priest and his teenage son were 24 carat comedy gold.

His ad libs were often superior to the script. The main planned material involved an economics riff which allowed him to do cartoon German and Japanese accents. Somehow this was funny rather than racist. Murray is so smart he can have his cake and eat it. Which probably explains why he was too heavy for that jump.

Al Murray is currently on tour. Tickets here.