Preview: Sean Lock in Burnley

But now he’s out and back on the road. The comedian is embarking on his first major nationwide tour in three years, including a gig at Burnley Mechanics, and he can’t wait.

“You get such a buzz from being on stage,” declares Sean, who won the 2000 British Comedy Award for Best Stand-Up.

“In the live arena, you really raise your game. The interaction with the audience is the best bit – it gives you such a thrill.

“Sometimes at the start, there’s a person with his arms folded and a grumpy face in the front row.

“He’s clearly been dragged along by his partner, who’s said, ‘I’ll go to the motor show with you, if come along to this.’ "So he’s sitting there saying to me, ‘you think you’re so funny’.

“It’s always really good fun trying to turn those people and make them have a great night.”

The stand-up, who has two young daughters, adds that he prefers to be up close and personal with his audience.

“I try not to play venues that are too large.

"Intimacy really helps my show, and it wouldn’t be so effective in a massive venue.

“It works really well in a 600-seater because there you’re absolutely in touch with people.

"They’re not too far back, and you can build a genuine rapport.”

In between his trademark, straight stand-up routines, Sean will be taking suggestions for gags from the audience for his new show.

He explains: “I have a lectern and a book on stage and call people out from the audience to suggest words that I have to find a joke about.

"It’s great fun because it gets people involved who would never otherwise shout things out.

“If the audience don’t feel engaged, it can become formulaic. But this really mixes it up and keeps them interested.”

Sean, who has also won a Time Out Comedy Award, said the best material often emerges when he makes stuff up on the spot.

“Some people might think it’s scripted, but it’s not. Sometimes you just get lucky.”

* Sean Lock is at Burnley Mechanics on Thursday, April 15. Tickets sold out.