In an age where the majority of comedians are either hugely pretentious or more than happy to turn the air blue, it makes a refreshing change to go and see a proper, old-fashioned jokesmith in the gloriously grand setting that is Cheltenham Town Hall.

Dave Spikey is perhaps most famous for his role as Dave St Clair in Phoenix Nights, but is also well known as a host of 8 out of 10 Cats and Bullseye. But going along to see a comedian famous for his on-screen persona is always a gamble, and this time it paid off.

There was no warm-up act for Dave’s Saturday night performance, and this was a bonus for the audience who were able to get the most from the northern funny man’s explanation of the tour, Punchlines - the idea being that punchlines derive their humour from being unexpected and that, out of context, they are inherently unfunny. So what happens when you let the audience know what the punchlines are before you tell the joke?

Well the answer is, actually, not a lot. As long as the joke is funny, the punchline will always get a giggle and this, I think, is Dave’s point.

“Nice tits, where do you want the blinds?” “Who’s Bob?” “Have you got bunk beds?” don’t mean anything on their own, but put them on the end of a well-delivered gag and they can be the funniest thing you’ve ever heard.

Dave’s humour is definitely ‘old school’ (and some might even say ‘old’, as I have certainly heard quite a few of the jokes a few times before). It’s not rude or aggressive, just a little bit cheeky and delivered in just the right way. By the time we were on to the final section – nonsensical song lyrics – Dave was really in the swing of things and we were laughing so much we were sorry the night had to end.

Northern humour doesn’t always translate well ‘down south’, but Dave Spikey manages to cross all boundaries without being tasteless, engaging the audience and finding a common ground for us all.

What a shame a few more couldn’t have dragged themselves out on a windy Saturday to fill the venue to capacity. Maybe next time, eh Dave?