In the middle of my interview with Alan Carr, a very loud police siren starts wailing in the background.

Quick as a flash, the comedian jokes: “I’m so in demand, even the police want me,” before adding with a laugh: “Or maybe they’ve seen my act and want to arrest me!”

This is typical of the quick-witted humour of one of the finest comics currently at work in this country, which will be showcased at Lighthouse, Poole tonight when he visits the venue as part of his 120-venue tour, Yap, Yap, Yap!

The comic, who boasts a huge nationwide following after hosting 13 series of his C4 chat show, Alan Carr Chatty Man, smiles: “I adore touring – it keeps me out of mischief! This is the biggest tour I’ve ever done.”

Alan is just as hilarious in person as he is on stage. The comic, who has won numerous awards, including the 2013 Bafta for Best Entertainment Performance and the 2013 British Comedy Award for Best Comedy Entertainment Personality, possesses “funny bones”. He can find humour in any situation.

Previously responsible for such successful live shows as Tooth Fairy and Spexy Beast, Alan is really pleased to be undertaking a tour once again.

“I love live comedy,” he beams.

“Sometimes the politics of doing the chat show and booking guests can be frustrating.

“And occasionally you’ll have a dud guest with nothing to say.

“But when it’s just you on stage with a mic in front of lots of people who have come specifically to see you, it’s fantastic. You’re the boss. I get such a buzz on stage. It’s a complete adrenalin rush.

“When you dream up new material and think, ‘Great, I can add that to the set,’ it’s a wonderful feeling. If it works, a new joke always brings a smile to my face. It’s such a thrill.”

Alan has a massive and loyal fanbase, which is mobilised whenever he tours.

“Some venues have sold out within five minutes,” the comic reveals.

“People have apparently been sleeping outside to get tickets – oh please, stop it! That’s sweet, but unnecessary.

“I always leave it three years between tours. I don’t know how Jimmy Carr does it, touring all the time. But I’m lucky enough to have the chat show to keep me busy in between.

“And it means that if I haven’t been touring for three years, it’s more of an event when I do.”

Alan, who recently hosted Channel 4's flagship fundraising show Stand Up To Cancer, which went on to raise £14 million for Cancer Research, has amazingly devoted fans.

“They’re always lovely,” he enthuses.

“A lot of them want to mother me. I’ve got one of those faces that makes women want to put me on their chest and stroke my hair. Blokes do the same – they always want to nestle me on their chests!”

Such is his rapport with his fans that Alan has deliberately chosen to perform at more intimate venues on the tour: “I could have played arenas and done the tour within a month, but in those big places you can’t talk to the audience. If you mention the jumper of someone in the front row, 11,999 other people say, ‘What’s he on about?’

“With arena shows, the material doesn’t evolve. You don’t want to take the gamble of trying out new stuff in front of 12,000 people. And if you lose the room at an arena, you can’t get it back because it’s so big. Putting a show on in a theatre, everyone there feels they have had a unique night that won’t happen anywhere else.”

So what subjects will Alan be discussing in Yap, Yap, Yap!?

“This show is very personal. It’s about co-habiting and how it affects you. I talk about my partner. The show is about my life, so he has to be in it. I didn’t want to start lying and saying I still live on my own in Stretford. My partner doesn’t necessarily like being part of the show, but I said to him, ‘Look, it’s paying the bills. See those shoes you’re wearing? Comedy bought them, so stop moaning.

“I called it, Yap, Yap, Yap! because there’s a lot of waffle out there. With blogs and Twitter, everyone has an opinion nowadays. I can’t believe I’ll be waffling on stage for two hours – I’m adding to it. It’s my own fault!”

Alan insists he will never take fame for granted.

He added: “And I also get marvellous presents. So if the fans who are coming to the show could bring me some awful wine to put in my globe on the chat show, that would be very much appreciated!”

  • Tickets for Alan Carr’s tour, “Yap, Yap, Yap!” are available from lighthousepoole.co.uk