by Claire Williams

TONIGHT I was heading out. Not ‘out out’ you understand but out to the BIC – the venue playing host to the remarkably funny cockney comedian that is Micky Flanagan Having started out on stage in 1997 Flanagan has become one of British comedy’s brightest stars, who's enlightening the masses with his new Back In The Game tour, taking in 57 shows on the way.

This cheery Londoner has certainly got the gift the gab. Witty anecdotes from his younger days in the East End roll off the tongue effortlessly.

Stories from his working class upbringing recall the times when a cup of boiling water thrown in the face was a standard form of parental control, being sent to the local shop (shoplifting a teenage pastime), and later mastering the cockney walk.

He has a good old moan about modern life with clever quips and uproarious observations about modern society – things both men and women can equally relate to (battle for space in the bed for one).

For Micky life may not be as simple as yesteryear, however, he is keen to maintain some simplicity - you can't beat a sausage sandwich that's for sure, but it may result in a prostate examination at the doctor’s, if news headlines are anything to go by.

Many of his stories, and distinctive Mickyesque observations hit the nail on the head – let’s admit it, we’re all thinking the same thing but very few of us could tell the tale with such quick, distinctive wit. Like why not steal crisps from supermarket? He doesn't recall applying for a job scanning items at the self-service checkout!

Micky is a man who admits defeat in the battle of sexes, owing that men are sex-obsessed but are quite happy just aimlessly wandering about.

Should you trust a Londoner with a curly black barnet? Oh yes, it’s definitely worth going out for.