HIS debut film role made him an overnight sensation and now Dave Johns is using that experience to provide the material for his new stand-up comedy show.

Dave, a comedian for over 30 years, took the lead role in the Ken Loach film I, Daniel Blake, a movie which collected a hatful of major international awards including the prestigious Palme D'Or for the best film at the Cannes Film Festival and a Bafta. Dave himself was nominated for a Bafta for his portrayal of the central character and took best actor crown in both the Empire and British Independent Film Awards.

Next week he heads to Darwen Library Theatre for a warm up show for I, Film Star which he will be taking to this year's Edinburgh Festival.

"I won the Empire Award for Best Newcomer at 61 so there you go," he laughed. "It just shows, you are never too late to start on something."

Dave admits that he never dreamed he would get a part in I, Daniel Blake let alone rub shoulders with Hollywood A-listers such as Nicole Kidman as a result.

"I'd taken a play to Edinburgh with some other comedians and we heard that Ken Loach was looking for someone to play a man in his 50s for a new film. I just sent a text off and did a couple of auditions. I was just happy to meet Ken Loach but then I kept being asked back," said Dave.

"I was gobsmacked when I got the part. The only thing I kept thinking was that I didn't want to make a mess of it and ruin Ken Loach's career!"

The story of a Geordie builder who can't work due to a heart condition and then finds himself frustrated by the benefits system, I, Daniel Blake has been a success around the world.

"I just thought 'as long as do an all right job I'd be happy' but it hit a nerve with people," said Dave.

"The whole thing has been pretty surreal. What it has meant is that I keep being asked to do more films - I've just finished a film about old wrestlers who come out of retirement for Fox and we're currently shooting a film about the former Manchester City goalkeeper Bert Trautmann.

So has all this film stardom changed Dave?

"I'm the most easy person to deal with on set," he said. "I think it has come at right time when I had a bit a life experience. I know it's all bull really so I don't let it go to my head!

"Mind you it is pretty weird when you get Nicole Kidman coming up to you and saying 'I thought you were amazing'."

But for all his new found fame, Dave is determined to remain a comedian.

"I still love stand-up," he said, "but what it has done is make it easier for me to choose the shows I want to do rather than needing to do them. I, Daniel Blake has put me in this category where I get offered film roles and I'm just enjoying it. I'm just so fortunate."

It was only natural that Dave would turn his experiences into a comedy show.

"The new show is about how much my life has changed and some of the funny stories along the way," he said. "The Darwen date will a bit of a warm up for Edinburgh. It will be the first outing for several weeks as I've been away filming, I've just come off Walk Like a Panther."

In the movie, due for release around Christmas, Dave plays a wrestler who comes out of retirement to put on a show to save the local pub.

"I used to love watching the wrestling on World of Sport," he said. "For the film we had to do wrestling training and everything.

"I tell you what though, a 61-year-old man in a blue leotard is not a great look!"

The film also stars Stephen Graham, Sue Johnstone and Jill Halfpenny.

"It is very funny," said Dave. "It was a very different experience from working with Ken Loach.

"Ken uses the camera almost like another character, it's very unobtrusive. But then you get to work on a film where you can be doing a really moving scene with another character and there are 46 people watching you.

"It's a fascinating process. The thing about being a stand-up is that you are up on stage on your own; you write your jokes on your own; travel on your own.

"Film is a collaborative process; you have a huge crew and cast. There are lots of people putting their bit in to make the finished product.

"It's been a sharp learning curve but I'm just loving the whole experience.

"Filming can be intense. We were up at 6.30 in the morning and then not getting back until 10 at night and still had to learn lines. But hey, it's still not working down the pit and we get handsomely rewarded so don't feel too sorry for us."

Dave Johns and Jo Caulfield, Darwen Library Theatre, Saturday, July 1. Details from 0844 847 1664