HE MAY be well-known for his television appearances and theatre-filling gigs, but comedian Seann Walsh says the time he spent learning his craft in Brighton was the best of his life.

Before a performance at Theatre Royal Brighton on Saturday, Walsh – who is recognisable from slots on Live at the Apollo and Never Mind the Buzzcocks –told The Argus he had fond memories of the city’s comedy scene.

Although the comic was born in London, he was raised here.

“There used to be an open mic night at [arts venue] Komedia which I kept putting my name down for,” he said.

“But I always bottled it because I was too scared.”

Walsh took his first steps in comedy at the Comic Boom club, run by Jill Edwards.

After a 12-week course, budding funnymen perform a three- minute slot at Komedia.

“I’ll be doing slightly longer than that at the Theatre Royal,” joked Walsh.

“To play Komedia was a real dream for young comedians – that was where I used to go and watch the likes of Stephen Grant, who is a local celebrity.

“I remember thinking that it was amazing to be doing my first show at that same venue.”

Walsh called his stint on the Comic Boom course “the best time of my life” and he went on to compere the night.

“Jimmy Carr did that course, although he wasn’t in my class, Hal Cruttenden, too – big names.

“You’ve got a room full of people who love comedy, which is great.

“That can be a pretty unusual mixture of people.”

Walsh recently embarked on a tour of the Scottish Highlands, a journey he documented for a BBC Three television programme.

He is in Brighton to perform his One for the Road show, which earned rave reviews at Edinburgh Fringe festival last year.

Walsh recalled a much less successful time early in his career, however.

“My first gigs went pretty well but I experienced my first stage death in Southampton.

“I was five gigs in and had no idea what I was doing.”

Seann Walsh plays the Theatre Royal Brighton on Saturday, 8pm. Call 08448 717650 for tickets.

See tomorrow’s Guide for full interview.