Following on from winning the Best International Show at New Zealand Comedy Festival earlier this year and after two Foster’s Comedy Awards nominations, Acaster will be setting things straight in his show Recognise this Friday.

Letting his imagination run riot, he described his latest offering as his “favourite show so far”.

He said: “It’s about my life as an undercover cop posing as a stand-up comedian. It’s low key and whimsical and includes some props.”

Parading as police officers aside, Acaster plays it cool when it comes to his booming comedy career.

He said: “I was inspired by a man in a red jacket who hosted the village variety show when I was 12.

“He was funny and made telling jokes look like an enjoyable passion — looking back though, some of his jokes were inappropriate!”

Pushed on why he decided to pursue a career in comedy in the first place, Acaster replied with wit: “Through being a show-off and needing a way to fill my days.

“Plus my band split up so I didn’t have much going on at the time.”

His cocky attitude continues into his pre-show warm-up habits. “I sit in a corner and catch up on my text messages, pretending like I don’t have to do a show in a few minutes,” he said.

The sharp, curly-haired comedian can certainly back it all up, with several appearances on BBC Two’s Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Channel 4’s 8 Out of 10 Cats and Russell Howard’s Good News under his belt — all fitted around his various festival performances.

Comedy lovers (ages 15 and over) can hear all about Acaster’s assumed identity on Friday at 8pm. Tickets cost £15 or £11.20 for concessions.

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