On Sunday 23 August, I finally performed stand-up in Sunderland — my home town — for the first time, taking part in SpaceBar Arcade’s New Act Comedy Night with Little Robot Comedy.

And I absolutely bloody loved it.

It was a cracking gig: a brilliant room, a properly supportive crowd and a line-up full of genuinely funny people. Stuart Sharpe won the audience vote, and Sam Lowery and I were named joint runners-up.

I might have placed even higher had one of the mates I dragged along to support me not voted for another bloody act.

A betrayal committed in my own home town. There will be an inquiry, punishment, and retribution.

Honestly, though, the result was a bonus. Performing in Sunderland for the first time felt genuinely special, and walking away with a tiny trophy — which I naturally treated with all the dignity it deserved — was a lovely extra, despite not actually being able to keep it because I magnanimously let my fellow runner-up have it.

The show was expertly hosted by Si Beckwith (who says that two Sis make a mardy bum, lol). It was also a bonus pleasure, as always, to share the stage with the awesome Sam O’Hagan, with whom I co-hosted the first day of the Ginge, where we did the most awkward interpretive dance ever to terrify audiences.

So huge thanks to Little Robot Comedy, SpaceBar Arcade, Si Beckwith for hosting, all the other acts and everyone in the audience.

I had an absolute blast.