OK, confession time. When I ask question 8 - “I think you are very good at what you do” – I don’t always mean it. It’s there to make comics feel good. But in the case of Larry Dean I really do mean it. Ever since I saw him in the Piccadilly Comedy Club New Comedian of 2013 Final I could see he had something. He won that competition and went on to pick up an Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer nomination in 2015 and win the Amused Moose Comedy Award in 2016. He is sharp, funny and has an interesting back story, but you’ll have to see him to find that out. The only snag is that he is from Glasgow so I’m afraid he is just going to have to live with being compared to Billy Connolly and Kevin Bridges. It’s meant as a compliment though. Make no mistake, Larry Dean is going to be up there with the best. And as Hughie Green used to say, I mean that most sincerely.

For more about Dean click here.

1. What is the last thing you do before you go onstage (apart from check your flies and/or check your knickers aren't sticking out of your skirt and check for spinach between your teeth )?

I usually just murmur any new material I need to remember, pull a few faces at myself in a mirror if I'm on my own, and have a swig of juice. I used to go into what a good friend called my 'gig coma' where I'd go very quiet, almost sleepy, and not respond to anything anyone said. They said it was probably my body conserving 'funniness' before battle.

2. What irritates you?

People who are intolerant of swearing. I told my brother to fuck off in an argument three weeks ago and he hasn’t spoken to me since. If you’re reading this Patrick, I want you to know that I think you’re being very petty and can continue fucking off!

3. What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done?

When I was younger, me and my friends broke into an abandoned school and started a fire on the ground floor which got out of control. When the fire brigade and police arrived we jumped out of a first floor window onto the roof and managed to get away. If my mum had found out what I did, a burning building would’ve been a relatively safe place to sleep that night.

4. What is the most stupid thing you have ever done?

I've been putting off an operation for the past two years. Nothing super serious, but I haven't had it done because I wouldn't be able to gig for a couple of months while I was recovering. I asked my family doctor what he thought and he gave his professional opinion, which was something like: "Yar aff yer heed ya numpty."

5. What has surprised you the most during your career in comedy?

Generally how accepting comedians are of all types of people. Whatever your race, gender, sexual orientation, identity, state of mental health... it doesn't matter if you can take a joke. So long as you’re not taking their gigs.

Interview continues here.