IRISH funnyman Sean Hughes may have become a television celebrity but you get the impression he's not bothered by the fuss. . . he's just an ordinary guy, like you or me.

The tell-it-like-it-is comedian has built up a cult following but on the surface of his latest show, at Preston's Guild Hall, it's hard to tell why.

His jokes are risque, ranging from cracks about sex and drugs, to close to the bone puns about convicted au pair Louise Woodward and the death of John Denver. So why was there a full house of laughing people in the Charter Theatre on Saturday night?

The answer is simple. Funnyman Sean Hughes tells jokes about things you can relate to, experiences you've been through and subjects you think about but are afraid to mention.

Despite knowing his favourite football team, the Republic of Ireland, had lost all hopes of going to the World Cup the very same night, he kept his audience entertained to the last. And one of the good things is that it's not all scripted. He told jokes along the way, picking on members of the audience and getting a rapport going with them.

But one of the real indicators of a quality comedian is the ability to take the mickey while still making you laugh.

And whether he was putting down Prestonians' accents or slagging off the snooker (a subject close to our hearts) he was still very, very funny. Look out for the video.

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