INTERNATIONALLY-acclaimed comic Jimeoin is preparing for his latest tour Yes, Yes, Whatever…?! which stops off in Blackburn.

Returning to King George’s Hall, the Northern Ireland-born star says his latest show is based on his experiences of ‘people-watching’.

He said: “The show is just utter nonsense. I get to the point about current problems that we encounter, like seeing people on drugs, getting them to see the funnier and lighter side of life.

“It is basically classic nonsense that you don’t see coming — the sort of thing you’ll be remembering and giggling about for months after,” said Jimeoin, who gets the stage name from his real name, James Stephen Eoin McKeown.

Known for his hilarious world-class stand-up, this is the comic’s ever-evolving live show that he’s taking to Europe as well as the UK.

“I never really make a conscious effort to study people. It is something that you pick up naturally, I do it over time. With this show, in particular, there is really no message to the audience, although I think the subject matter is original. It’s a hawkeye dissection of more of the absurdities of life and how we live it and how we react.

“I would like to say that I talk about things that other comics don’t tend to talk about but that might not happen. With this show you can just stand back and laugh at what is happening in the world,” he said.

Currently living in Melbourne with his partner and four children, Jimeoin is a household name in Australia, having lived there since the age of 22.

And it was in Australia that he rose to prominence with his comedy act in the early 1990s with a self-titled TV show.

The show got such great ratings that he is now known down under as Australian’s favourite Irishman.

“I have found that I have adapted to travelling. I have performed the same gigs around the world and I have never had to change a script for the particular countries, I think it just depends on a personality and if you get it,” he said.

As well as countless TV shows in Australia, in the UK Jimeoin has recently appeared on The Royal Variety Performance, Live at the Apollo and Michael MacIntyre's Comedy Roadshow.

“Travelling has been pretty great. I feel that most comics don’t really like to perform away from their homes. They feel safe in the UK and know that their material will go down well,” said Jimeoin .

In 1999, he wrote and starred in his debut feature film The Craic Its opening weekend made it the second highest grossing Australian-produced film and it went on to have hugely successful video releases around the world. But there’s no plans for Jimeion to stick around in the UK. He’s happy where he is based in Australia with his ‘supportive’ family.

Speaking from his home, he said: “It is great around here, although it is really hot — really, really hot — at the moment. It’s around 40 Celsius some days. My family are great and my wife supportive. I love taking a swim with the kids and enjoy the good life.

“But I have picked up a good tip from my sister. She takes a cold water bottle to bed, where she fills up a hot water bottle and puts it in the freezer and sleeps with it to cool her down.”

Jimeoin, King George’s Hall, Friday, February 21, 7.30pm. Details from 0844 847 1664. He’s also at the Albert Halls, Botlon on Wednesday, Details from 01204 334400.