Jamali Maddix

Another swiftly trophy-laden talent (after Glenn Moore last week), Jamali Maddix won both the Chortle Student Comedian of the Year and Comedy Café New Act of the Year awards within his first few annums on the circuit, and has since popped up on sizeable TV efforts like Safeword and The John Bishop Show. Good going. His debut Edinburgh show, Chickens Come Home to Roost, is 'a dark, frank and honest look at life through the eyes of a self-confessed miscreant', it says here. So how did he get there?

First gig?

I can't remember the date but it was in a basement in Kings Cross. I went on second to last after about 15 acts and was in front of 10 people. All I remember was that it was OK.

Favourite show, ever?

Doing a gig in front of six people in a pub that was the size of a living room and everyone in the crowd had no more than eight teeth. I was with my friend and walking back to the station saying how bad it was and laughing.

Worst gig?

Getting gonged off in front of my mum.

Who's the most disagreeable person you've come across in the business?

I did a music poetry open mic night and all the poets were really angry that I was there so they all started heckling, as was the promoter, so I guess he was a dick.

Weirdest gig?

I did a gig where I walked on stage and the audience were all talking and shouting - a bear pit - then a massive dude stood up and shouted to everyone to "shut the fuck up, this cunt looks funny" and the whole room went quiet.

Is there one routine/gag you loved, that audiences inexplicably didn't?

There's just too many to name.

What's your best insider travel tip, for touring comics?

Pack light.

The most memorable review, heckle or post-gig reaction?

I did a joke about a white guy I saw being racist. I then got called racist and told said guy that I was half white, and then he said "oh my, I apologise... as you were."

How do you feel about where your career is at, right now?

Yeah, it is what it is...

Jamali's Edinburgh Fringe show 'Chickens Come Home to Roost' is at the The Attic, Pleasance Courtyard, 8.15pm, 3-29th August. Visit pleasance.co.uk for tickets.