Norman Lovett has been a comedian for over 40 years. He also played Holly in the cult TV series Red Dwarf, On Saturday he comes to Blackburn for a special stand-up night. Before that he answered a few questions

Norman, you're heading to Blackburn at the weekend. Have you ever been to Blackburn before?

Yes I have but I know not where.

Your show is at the Sir Charles Napier, a pub/venue rescued from closure by its regulars who have made it a community interest venture. I suspect that will strike a chord with you.

If people can change something bad for the better it gets my vote.

For those who are unsure what to expect, how do you described your set?

I don't know, I never plan things.

Have you always had a liking for the absurd?

Yes it's in my soul.

You don't tell jokes as such and yet you make people laugh. What's the secret?

That goes to my grave but hopefully not before me.

Being one of the comedy circuit's 'elder statesmen' how do you assess the state of comedy at the moment?

The one big positive is that there are lots of women doing it now and that makes me very happy. I think there are more comedians now than there has ever been and I think it's because the world has become very scary and more people go to comedy shows to cheer themselves up. I might be wrong.

Comedy club, arena or TV - where do you think stand-up belongs?

Stand-up comedy loses something on TV and smaller, intimate venues are much better for live comedy.

You've been in comedy for a lifetime and yet you still get referred to as Red Dwarf's Norman Lovett. Does that annoy you?

I started at 32 and I'm 70 now so coming up to 39 years. I'm not annoyed by it as I was very pleased to have been a part of Red Dwarf and some of the lines I had in the early series were so funny. The writing was great by Rob & Doug.

Red Dwarf fans can be somewhat 'dedicated'. Do you enjoy the conventions and everything that goes with them?

I do actually and although I have answered the same questions many times, I enjoy it and let's face it, life is full of repeats.

In the run-up to the election comedians came out in force in support of Jeremy Corbyn. Do you think the country's in a better state this week than last?

No but JC has become ever better as a leader and the young have got his message. The future looks good for Labour now and when there is another election which I think will happen soon, then Labour can go on to win and represent the country.

If you were PM what law would your repeal/introduce on your first day?

I would have a vote by the people as to whom they would like to see banned from being on all media. People like Piers Morgan, Katie Hopkins and Jeremy Clarkson would hopefully head the list.

Norman Lovett headlines the second Diamond Comedy night at the Sir Charles Napier, Blackburn, on Saturday, June 17. Also on the bill are Jimmy O and Tony Wright and the compere will be Lewis Costello. Doors open at 7.30pm with the show starting at 8pm. For tickets, visit www.facebook.com/diamondcomedy or www.ticketsource.co.uk or in person from the Sir Charles Napier.