FUNNY man Tom Stade is having a bit of an awkward morning.

He has missed his 9.30 am alarm call, cut his big toe on the bathroom door, got himself jammed in a hotel lift, and when he finally hits the road for his next stand-up assignment – in Liverpool – the brakes fail on his car.

“Relax buddie, don’t feel sorry for me – I’m having a riot,” said the Canadian dad of two who talks about the key moments in his life in new comedy show ‘Decisions Decisions’ at Blackburn King George’s Hall next week.

“The brakes have gone kaput. So what? Forget the car, the other night I was at the Q Awards having fun.

“I had a party with Sergio and Chris Edwards from Kasabian.

“They were heavy-duty guys, man. Lovely blokes. I hardly got a wink of sleep. We sank a few, you know? You just have to roll with the punches don’t you?

“A tough day is not about your car going cranky.

“I get up on stage and try and expose life’s absurdities. There’s great comedy in that. I’m so lucky in what I do.”

Stade is famous for doing things on impulse.

In his routine no stone is left unturned; no avenue too dark.

Hard hitting and a bit blue; read any review and it will tell you he doesn’t pull any punches or watch his language, as will an episode of Frankie Boyle’s TV show Tramadol Nights, on which Stade was a co-writer – including on that controversial joke about Jordan’s son which got it axed.

“Frankie Boyle is a great friend – the guy is a comedy genius and a very nice man,” said Stade.

He is quite happy to admit that he owes his current life – including a sold-out run at the Edinburgh Festival and stand up appearance on everything from Michael McIntyre’s Road Show to Mock The Week – to a series of happy accidents.

“I love accidents, they create great things,” he laughs. “You think I could have planned this chaos?

“There was no plan. When I was younger, I thought I could control the universe – now I try just to be here.

“After being around for 43 years, that’s probably the best way to be.”

He moved from Canada to Britain four years ago, desperate to make the break over here.

“I always thought the best comedians were the ones in the moment, and I love the UK comedy scene,” he added.

When I ask him about his most difficult gig, he chuckles and says, “Try the first ten years.

“I once drove nine hours across Canada to a gig. When I got there, the guy who owned the bar had forgotten it was comedy night.

“There were two old fishermen, the cleaner and a drunk. After the show, we ended up in a fight because the bar tender was demanding money from everybody – including me!”

  • Tom Stade, Blackburn King George’s Hall, Windsor Suite (Seated) November 6. £16.

0844 847 1664