A FOOTBALL pitch somewhere in London must be the funniest place in the country on a Tuesday afternoon, if what Milton Jones has to say is true.

The beautiful game is his relaxation of choice, and he’s joined on a weekly basis by some of the country's top comedians.

“There’s about 15 to 25 of us; Tim Vine, Russell Howard, Daniel Kitson, John Bishop when he’s in London,” he said.

“The standard is wonderfully low, and of course there are several running commentaries on the action.

“It started about 10 years ago, and it’s changed as people have gotten older.

“It’s good to have a hobby. Comics tend to just talk comedy when they get together, but this way you have something else.

"Your mind is constantly racing for new stuff so it’s nice to switch off.”

The comedian will be heading out on a tour which will also see him stop off at large and small venues across the North West.

“I get to do all sorts of places and I never know what they are until I walk in.

“Somewhere recently, the lights went out and someone actually hadn’t put 50p in the meter.

"And this means I can’t even prejudge an audience as you can get a real cross section of people wondering in.

“The ones which are a bit random are interesting for me; when there are people with children and old people, or those who haven’t gone far from home and are maybe less comedy literate. Then it’s a challenge.”

While the 46-year-old may relax with his fellow comics, it’s to his three teenage children he turns to try out new routines.

“When they were little, they thought I had no job at all because I was around during the day.

“They get the idea now and it’s gone past the ‘embarrassing father’ phase now as they can go to Reading Festival and come backstage at Mock The Week, so they want to know me again.

“They are ruthless when I test acts with them, but it’s quite helpful — if it makes them laugh it probably means it’s a winner.”

With a radio series, and sitcom and panel show pilots, as well as a new series of Mock The Week, in his diary, Milton is in for a ‘claustrophobic’ year.

“I’ve got used to the idea of not knowing what’s happening in two months’ time, but it’s all mapped out and that’s great from a security point but it does feel slightly odd.”

* Milton Jones: Lion Whisperer is at The Lowry, Salford, January 31 and February 4, box office 0843 208 6000; Burnley Mechanics, February 3, box office 01282 664400; Buckshaw Village Community Centre, Chorley, February 5, box office 07931 155887; Forum 28, Barrow-In-Furness, February 18, 01229 820 000; Royal Court, Liverpool, May 5, 0870 7871 866; Southport Theatre, Southport, Sunday, November 6, 08448 472 380; Apollo, Manchester, Sunday, November 20, 08444 777 67; King George's Hall, Blackburn, Wednesday, November 23, 08448 471 664; Grand Theatre, Blackpool, Sunday, November 27 01253 290 190;