Stand up! Carr’s back live on stage

ONE of the most distinctive and original stars of television in recent years returns to his stand-up career at Cambridge Corn Exchange in November.

Jimmy Carr has become a well-known face for hosting hit shows like Your Face or Mine? The Friday Night Project, and, more recently, 8 Out of 10 Cats.

His show Distraction, has also been picked up by Comedy Central in America, where it's now in its second series.

Carr has also been working away on his first book The Naked Jape, which will be released in November.

Despite this huge interest in his ability as a deadpan host and aspiring author, it is as a stand-up - outside of the confines of television - that Carr truly shines.

His date in Cambridge marks something of a homecoming for Carr - he received a first in social and political sciences from Gonville and Caius College, before working as a marketing executive with a major oil company.

Four years later, he took redundancy to begin a career in stand-up, and his first live show, Bare Faced Ambition, earned him a Perrier nomination, which he has since followed up with a Loaded LAFTA award for best comedian, and a Time Out award for Best Stand-up.

Not for the easily-offended, Carr's act consists of a series of dryly-delivered one-liners that can sometimes test the individual's boundaries and sense of decency.

He makes it clear, however, that he expects enough sophistication from his audience for them to understand that he is neither racist nor homophobic.

"The way to tell whether a joke is taboo or not," he says, "is whether you have to look over your shoulder before you tell it - If you have to, then don't tell the joke."

Carr's last, 72-date tour last year - Off the Telly - sold out completely, so early booking is recommended to avoid disappointment.

INFORMATION: Jimmy Carr - Gag Reflex comes to Cambridge Corn Exchange on Saturday, November 25.

Tickets, priced £18.50, are available from the box office on 01223 357851.