Mark Watson is now an established TV comedian and a well-regarded regular on the stand-up circuit.

He’s probably best-known for being cluster-bombed with yoghurt on Taskmaster, or half-killed on Bear Grylls - Celebrity Island, but this weekend he is staying firmly indoors as he plays two show in Cumbria.

He was first noticed in 2002 on winning the Daily Telegraph Open Mic competition.

A combination of barely restrained energy (“it sometimes takes me 20 minutes to say hello”) and relentless innovation (his 24 and 36-hour shows at the Edinburgh Fringe are legendary).

Mark has also written novels such as Bullet Points and A Light-Hearted Look At Murder, while his TV credits including everything from the first episode of Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow and guest-presenting Never Mind The Buzzcocks to We Need Answers and Celebrity Island With Bear Grylls.

Now a well-established presence on the comedy touring circuit he is well attuned to the pros and cons of zipping around the country and entertaining audiences night after night.

Now divorced, he misses his young son when he’s away, but the fact that he’s able to maintain his status as a must-see act across Britain is a strong vote of confidence.

“Touring represents the kind of life that you hope you’d have when you first start off,” he says.

“Being seen by pretty much your own audience and to sustain yourself performing your own show rather than gigging on mixed bills is what most comedians want. I’m fortunate to have started stand-up in a climate where that was just about to become more and more possible.

“I don’t mind the travelling and being in hotels; I’ve had that lifestyle for so long that I almost don’t know myself if I’m not in perpetual motion.”

n Mark Watson, the Old Fire Station, Carlisle, tomorrow and Rosehill Theatre, Whitehaven, Saturday. For tickets, go to www.oldfirestation.carlisle.city or call 01228 598596 or www.rosehilltheatre.co.uk or call 01946 692422.