Hi Dan. Up to much this weekend?
I'm at my parents' place in Cambridge. My mother is having a drinks party and we have a bouncy castle and everything. Very nice and civilised.

When did you realise you were funny?
Like a lot of comedians, I was the irrepressible joker in the classroom. I didn't think I was funny, but I was willing. I went to a few London shows where my friend was on the circuit and realised you didn't actually have to be any good to get a slot. So I thought, "I can do that."

My first gig was in a Purple Turtle bar. A lot of people start there because they'll basically take anyone. There were all these bikers on the front row... talk about in at the deep end.

Do you still get nervous before a show? Do you have any pre-show rituals?
I get most nervous when I am not nervous. Not being nervous means I haven't really accepted that I am about to go on stage – it means I'm in some sort of weird denial. I am known to be a pacer though.

Where do you find the best audiences are?
You know what? Audiences can surprise you. I turned up in Clapham the other day to a rooftop bar, The White House. I was like, great, this isn't going to go well – it's daylight and comics usually work best in grungy subterranean holes. But they surprised me and we had a great time.

You were in It's All Gone Pete Tong. Is the decadent island your idea of heaven or hell?
Well I'm a dad now so I would have to say Hell. That lifestyle isn't for me anymore...I'm old now and all grown up. Trying to be anyway.

You've done television, radio and film – what's your favourite?
I've recently really got into writing stories, so I'm hoping that my sitcom scripts will get picked up. It's exciting and I've discovered a real love for it.

You appeared in The Da Vinci Code as Jesus. Are you quite messianic? What would you do if you ruler of world?
Yeah I was in that film for like four seconds. And if I was the ruler of the world... well, I would take away the table seating arrangements in comedy clubs and put in theatre seating. I would strap people in and make them watch, not allowing them to face their buddy drinking beer. It's a good job I'm not ruler actually, as I wouldn't be a kind ruler. I would be mean, very mean.

You did the 99p challenge on BBC Radio Four. What would you spend your last 99p on?
I would buy an ice cream with a flake in it and give it to a grateful child.

Or us?
Yeah I could give it to you, if it means the interview will be good. Nudge nudge wink wink.

You're doing the Edinburgh Festival. What can we expect from the show?
Oh my goodness, I'm so excited to get back there. I've been away for three years and I went up there last year. My fringe finger started twitching. I'm doing some dad stuff, you know, now that I am one. My raps are going down a treat too so there will be lots of me rapping away. Lots of jokes, lots of laughs... I'm raring to go!