His mum describes his act as "a bit like a child telling people about a day out at the zoo". With his giddy enthusiasm and sugar-high delivery it's not hard to see why.

Fitting most closely into the observational comedy bracket, Howard's shows are an exhilarating, stream-of-consciousness journey through his world, with no one - least of all the comic himself - certain of the outcome.

A massive hit at this year's Edinburgh Fringe, Adventures sees the 27-year-old Bristolian speeding through tales of family, the baffling nonsenses of everyday life and near-disasters with marbles.

Much of his shows are improvisational and audience members are actively encouraged to heckle.Howard says: "I adore that feeling of seeing where a riff takes you. I find people fascinating, so if someone shouts something out, I don't just put them down and move on. That seems rubbish to me.

"I don't want to simply hammer out the same show every night and then go back to the hotel and get drunk. "I love just going with the flow."

It's a formula that clearly works; in just a few years he has become a popular fixture both on the comedy circuit and on television, with a string of accolades as long as his gangly arms.

Listed in Zoo magazine's 2005 top ten list of "Britain's Funniest Comics", his 2006 show Wandering was nominated for an if.comeddie award, while Adventures prompted critics to describe him as "a huge talent" and "a comic wunderkind".

He has enjoyed stints as a panellist on BBC2's Mock The Week and Never Mind the Buzzcocks and also hosts his own BBC 6 Music show.

Howard admitted it had been a mindblowing year.

"You have to pinch yourself when you find yourself doing shows with great people like Dara O'Briain and Armando Iannuci," he says, "I met Frank Skinner the other day and it was like reverting to my fifteen-year-old self. As a teenager, I was a huge fan of Frank's - I had all his videos. I'm a comedy nerd and it's fantastic getting to meet all my heroes.

"I wanted to ask Frank for his autograph but I felt embarassed. So I ended up saying, can you sign this for my mum? She's called Ussell' - and adding the R later!"

It's an anecdote that perfectly illustrates Howard's endearing goofiness and child-like delight.

He says: "Life isn't about The X Factor or Ant and Dec. It's not about seeing the world in a cynical or ironic way. It's about those rare moments where you sit back and say, "Wow, that meant something."

  • SOLD OUT 01273 647100