COMEDIAN Mike Reid is being investigated by police after allegedly telling anti-Muslim jokes at a Kent theatre.

The former EastEnders actor could be prosecuted following a complaint from a politics graduate who saw his show at the Central Theatre, Chatham, on October 10.

Helen Kirrane, 23, from Manchester, complained after hearing gags about Muslims being told to bungee jump without strings and working as strippers. Mr Reid, 62, has described the complaint as "ridiculous".

A spokesman for the theatre said that since the performance no one else in the 453-strong audience had complained.

The spokesman stressed: "Mike Reid is well-known for his particular brand of humour, and so all promotional material issued by the council was marked 'strictly adults only' to provide a suitable warning about the contents of the performance."

A Kent Police spokesman said: "There has been a complaint which we are investigating."

There has been speculation Mr Reid could be prosecuted under new religious hatred laws introduced since the September 11 terrorist attacks.