Ross Noble first stepped into the world of comedy at a mere 15 years of age. Too young to legally take to the stage at his local comedy club, the Geordie was smuggled in, performed his slot and – despite being forced to leave through the kitchen afterwards – never looked back.

Now classed as comedy nobility, Ross has received huge critical acclaim and with an on-stage presence crammed with infinite imagination and tomfoolery, he is widely regarded as one of our leading stand-ups.

Since the summer of 1999, the 38-year-old has unveiled a new show every year and 2015 is no different as this week he brings his all-new Tangentleman tour to the county.

Appearing on Friday, January 23 and Saturday, January 24, in Tunbridge Wells, Ross is looking forward to performing in the county after 14 sold-out tours.

“They are my home gigs,” he said.

“I only live around the corner in the Kent countryside, about half an hour away from Tunbridge Wells. I’ve been there for about four years and I love it, it’s great. I can be in my own bed within an hour of leaving stage and for me that is completely unheard of.”

Ross, who previously lived in Wouldham, near Rochester, before moving to Australia and returning to Kent four years ago, possesses a gift for wonderfully funny and innovative streams of consciousness.

It’s what makes his comedy stand out from the rest and his unique and vivid imagination ensures no two shows are ever the same.

He added: “I called the tour Tangentleman because I go off on tangents. It’s not about one thing – that’s what plenty of comics do in shows, but I go off on tangents.

“It’s about whatever, it’s not defined and that’s what is fun and great about it. With stand-up you are your own writer, performer and director as well; my show changes all the time.”

As well as appearing on stage, Ross is often seen on TV as part of panel shows Have I Got News for You and QI on BBC1.

But other than that, he chooses to be rarely seen on screen and rejects most offers, usually because he is touring.

“The live stuff is my primary thing,” he added.

“I’ve built up a following with my live work and have done TV bits on the back of that. Live came along before it so I’m not a slave to TV like some people. For me it’s the other way around – it’s perfect because I only go on TV if it’s stuff that I really want to do.”

With such a varied and popular stage show, Ross has come a long way since his teenage years and believes imagination is what glues his audiences together.

He added: “For some people and some acts their audience is all very much a certain type of person. With my audiences you can be young or old, with people from across the social spectrum, and what brings them together is imagination.

“You might have an old lady in a tweed jacket sitting next to a young kid with a face piercing but it’s imagination that brings them together.”

'At Tunbridge Wells I’m able to have tea with my kids and then go to the gig – it’s great'

“I wouldn’t swap it with anyone; it’s the best job in the world. I love going to different places and at Tunbridge Wells I’m able to have tea with my kids and then go to the gig – it’s great.”

Away from his stage and screen work, Ross is a keen biker and off-road rider.

He is a fan of motorbike racing, including MotoGP and the Isle of Man TT. With Brands Hatch near home, he has completed a couple of track days and watched the Superbikes at the circuit.

His TV show on Dave, Ross Noble Freewheeling has coupled his love of riding and comedy. He said “Bike racing is different to four-wheel racing. In a car you are inside the vehicle; on a motorbike you are on it and are part of the scenery.

"If something really funny happens when I’m out riding I might use it but I’ve got to be careful my wife glares at me when I start talking about bikes!”

Ross Noble’s Tangentleman tour comes to the Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells on Friday, January 23 and Saturday, January 24. Tickets £25. Show starts at 8pm. Visit www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk or call 01892 530613.