Hal Cruttenden's back with his brand new show, 'Straight Outta Cruttenden', ranting about the real evils of the modern world, such as the 5:2 diet and over sharing on social media.
We got the chance to catch up with Hal to find out just which comedy icons make him tick, which paved the way for him to get into the world of comedy and an exciting encounter with the one and only Joan Rivers.
Eddie Izzard - His second video 'Unrepeatable' was the reason I went into stand up. I'd considered it before but thought I'd always be too camp and middle class. Then I saw this man wearing nail varnish and make up who'd grown up in Bexhill-on-Sea and he didn't apologise for it! That was the day I thought I too could be a stand up. I've met him about four times and am always slightly overcome. Unfortunately he never remembers who I am!
Billy Connolly - I saw 'An Audience with Billy Connolly' when I was about 15. This was probably the first full length stand up show I'd ever watched. We videoed it and passed it round all our neighbours. No comic ever produces the perfect hour of comedy but this must be pretty near to it. He's the Daddy as far as I'm concerned.
Les Dawson - One of the old school of comics who I think would have worked well on the modern circuit. It was his complete disinterest in trying to please that made you love him. I adore comedians who never look like they're trying to please you - even though they're working damn hard to do exactly that.
Eric Morecombe - Not really a stand up but my favourite comic. I think he's probably the most naturally funny comedian we've ever had. The way he did that look to camera was genius. It was genius born from years on the road learning his craft, but it was genius.
Joan Rivers - I've just realised how old all my choices are! Sorry, but I'm jealous of anyone younger than me in comedy... Now I know Joan got stick for saying outrageous things politically at the end of her life but I'd forgive her anything. I worked with her in Montreal in 2008. It was a gala show for the Just For Laughs Festival and she was compering. Sometimes you see a performer and they're old and past it and, however awe-inspiring it is to be in their presence, they can never hit the heights of their younger days. Well, Joan Rivers was mid-seventies at this point and I feared she'd be the same. She stormed that theatre better than any comic I've ever seen! She did topical and local material. She was also an absolute delight to meet and was very kind to all these younger comics from whom she stole the show. She reminded me that the great thing about comedy is that, as long as you can still move, talk and think, you never stop getting better.
Hal Cruttenden's UK tour runs until December 5th, tickets are on sale now from http://www.halcruttenden.com/