Alan Davies returned to stand up comedy after a long absence due to his TV commitments.

His return eschewed large arenas, much favoured by fellow comedians, for more intimate venues.

While the Dome is nowhere near as intimate as Concorde 2, where he played at the beginning of his career, it proved ideal for his act.

The long absence from the stage had not diminished his ability to provide over two hilarious hours of comedy.

With no support Davies provided his own warm up by engaging in banter with the audience.

He tormented late-comers, abused a gift from a fan and held surveys. These enabled him to show off his talent for ad-libs.

But the main theme of his act was a very personal one in which he brought up his unhappy childhood, his emotionally cold father and his recent foray into parenting.

His revelations, if they were not from an inventive imagination, came from a man in need of cathartic release. In any event they provided a springboard for some fantastic and, at times, dark comedy.

He proved that there is more depth to him than just being the jester at the court of King Stephen Fry.

Welcome back!