PAUL Tonkinson may be a self-proclaimed "professional Northerner" living in London – but it's in the Midlands where he really feels home.

The former Big Breakfast presenter is appearing alongside Doc Brown and The Fizzogs on Saturday (July 16) for the first instalment of "Live At The Civic", a new comedy show featuring TV names alongside top local talent.

The 46-year-old says he is looking forward to taking the stage at Brierley Hill Civic Hall.

"It's always been one of my favourite places to gig," he says.

"I just seem to get on there, the crowd always seem really relaxed.

"They don't take themselves too seriously, which I like, because I don't take myself too seriously either!

"They are up for a bit of banter and they are really generous."

Nearly 500 tickets have already been sold for the gig – not that it will faze Tonkinson, who supported Michael McIntyre on his record-breaking 50-date Happy and Glorious arena tour last year.

McIntyre hand-picked the award-winning comic - a two-time winner of Time Out Comedian of the Year - for the role after declaring: "No-one makes me laugh like Paul Tonkinson".

And the father-of-three, who has also appeared on TV as an act on BBC's McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow, said it was an incredible experience.

"It was amazing," he said.

"We did the O2 for five gigs in front of 15,000, 16,000 people. Then we went to Wembley.

"Birmingham was really good, and it was great to go back up north and play the likes of Manchester, Sheffield, Newcastle. It's something I'll never forget."

The arenas were a far cry from the hastily-assembled stages in war-torn Afghanistan and Iraq, where Tonkinson has been a regular visitor to entertain the troops.

"It's scary sometimes, but the gigs over there are fantastic," he says.

"They are really up for it.

"They want you to go up there and take the mickey out of them, you get soldiers coming up to you and actually giving you information about their sergeant or whoever.

"You get to say everything they want to say but can't. You are like a hired assassin for them.

"You get up there and say it and you are lauded as some kind of comedy genius.

"But in all seriousness, the gigs were some of the most rewarding I have ever done.

"You get to meet some incredible people, you gain an insight into a bit more of what is happening in these areas.

"I did some gigs in Basra at the height of the mortar attacks. You would be on stage and everyone would hear a noise and just throw themselves to the ground, myself included. Then 10 minutes later you would just get up and carry on with your set."

Despite being one of the top circuit comedians in the country for well over a decade, Tonkinson will still be best remembered to many for a short stint presenting Channel 4's The Big Breakfast.

The father-of-three was hired to re-launch the morning show alongside Amanda Byram and Donna Air in 2001 after the departure of Johnny Vaughan and Denise van Outen.

But he departed just two months later – not that the keen Manchester United fan has any regrets.

"You can't really regret something you have done," he says.

"The people that hired me might regret it mind you!

"I got the chance, looking back the timing wasn't great.

"It reminds me a bit of when David Moyes took over at Manchester United. I could identify with his startled, pained expression at times.

"Maybe I was a bit young for it.

"But the show was great, even though it didn't last very long you don't turn down the chance to present a big daytime breakfast show like that."

After Brierley Hill, Tonkinson is set to hit the road with McIntyre again in the autumn, with the pair set to go out to Australia.

He is also working on a short film for Sky. But he will always be a gigging comedian, he says.

"It's my bread and butter. I love doing live gigs and I will always continue to do them."

For more information about Live At The Civic, or to book tickets costing £18.50, visit www.bhillcivic.co.uk/whats-on/comedy, or call the box office on 0870 320 7000.