ALTHOUGH he has been on the comedy circuit for 20 years, outrageous Canadian émigré Tom Stade is still a new boy when it comes to television.

Billed as one of the rising stars of 2011, the 40-year-old started making a name for himself after being invited to appear on BBC1’s Mock The Week in 2009.

Since then he has gone on to appear in BBC’s Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow and Stand-Up For The Week on Channel 4.

And his biggest TV job to date has seen him join forces with the nation’s most controversial comedian to co-star and write in Frankie Boyle’s Tramadol Nights on Channel 4.

And now Tom is taking his own brand of humour on the road with his debut 40-date solo UK, Tom Stade Live.

“The show is about love, laughter and life. It is a beautiful journey into the mind of Tom Stade and who knows how it will end?

"Many people have got lost in my mind,” he laughed.

Tom, who is no stranger to controversy, having made the headlines with the provocative material on Tramadol Nights, says that his tour is full of mischievous humour.

“The show isn’t for people who are easily offended.

"Touring is brilliant because you can be yourself and say what you want.

"If they don’t like it then they can watch someone else.

“TV is great because it is just like a huge free advertisement for your work.

"But just so sanitised. For some reason, the people in charge of communications don’t trust comedians not to offend people and think that the audience need protecting from certain words.”

Tom started out performing stand-up around British Columbia when he was 18 and says that his dad encouraged his rambunctious style of humour.

“My dad is a huge comedy fan. I didn’t realise it at the time but it has made me a funnier person.

"We would watch anything. He said that nothing should be censored for a comedian and that there is no such thing as bad words when a comedian uses them as there are no repercussions.”

The seasoned stand-up has performed to acclaim at comedy events and festivals across the globe and headlined on many popular stages, including New York and Johannesburg.

And in the past year he’s been entertaining troops around the world; he’s braved the freezing cold Falklands, been under fire in Afghanistan and Iraq, and now has quite a following among the UK armed forces.

The father-of-two lives in Edinburgh with his wife Trudy and children.

He has appeared previously at Burnley Mechanics but next month’s gig will be Tom’s first visit to Blackburn.

“I’ve not been on stage in Blackburn before but I’m looking forward to coming. I’ve heard good things,” he said.

“My kid is a huge football fan and he just loves Blackburn Rovers.

"I actually got him a Rovers shirt with Stade written on the back.

"It would be so nice to take him to a match if possible while we are in the area.”

And although his tour doesn’t finish until April, he is already arranging his next gigs, which he plans to cleverly coincide with the Edinburgh Festival.

“I figured I should go out on tour again while all the other comedians are all in one place.

"Hey, I could always rent out my house and make a quick few thousand while I’m at it,” he joked.

“So far on this tour every date has been pretty much a sell-out so it might work.

"I’m always impressed that people come out to see me. I’m proud and flattered that they have made the effort.”

* See Tom Stade at George’s Comedy Club Extra at King George’s Hall, Blackburn, on Wednesday, February 23; The Met, Bury on Thursday, February 24; The Lowry, Salford from March 6 to 8.