A self-confessed ‘miserable old man’ since his early 20s, comedian Ed Byrne has finally come of age, turning 40 last year. His experiences are the subject of new show Roaring Forties, as he told Kathryn Tye.

Irish comedian Ed Byrne is a familiar face on TV, with regular appearances on comedy panel shows such as BBC’s Mock the Week and Have I Got News for You.

But his life could have been very different if he had continued on his original career path - studying horticulture.

He said: “I always fancied the idea of going into showbusiness, but in 1990 the idea of studying it seemed mad, like something only timewasters or the privileged would do.

"I thought I needed to get a trade, and I had worked with my uncle as a gardener for a few summers, so I thought if I could get a qualification, I could be self-employed and free to do other things.

"But I went to college and realised academia wasn’t for me. People were telling me I was funny, so I thought I will go and be funny.”

After years spent honing his stand-up routine, his breakthrough came in 1998 when he was nominated for the Perrier comedy award at the 1998 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

And since then he has carved a successful career with his unique brand of observational comedy, based on his own experiences and frustrations with life. His latest show, the Roaring Forties, continues that theme, as he reflects on reaching the milestone age of 40.

The 41-year-old said: “My shows are always generally about what has been going on with me. This show is no different, the running theme is that I have always been a grumpy old man and now I am finally old enough to be one, the things I get grumpy about are much more tiny and silly.

“One of the things I talk about is that I will tick you off a list of people I could potentially be friends with over the slightest thing. I have two kids now so I don’t have time to be friends with people. If you don’t indicate on a roundabout we are done.”

But despite becoming officially middle aged, father-of-two Ed hasn’t experienced any yearnings for any of the cliched midlife status symbols. “I had a sports car about four or five years ago, and then when the first child came along I never turned the wheel. It was a nice Mercedes, not even a Porsche, but I’m not a petrolhead. I only passed my driving test five years ago.”

Ed is more of an outdoors enthusiast, recently climbing Mont Blanc for the second time, and admits to splashing out on his hobby.

“I am really bad for outdoor gear. I own more tents than any man should own. I have everything from a tiny one-man tent that weighs 800g, to a 12-man tepee. I think when you know the weight of a tent, you have crossed a certain line.”

Although due to the arrival of two sons, his adventurous exploits have been scaled back in recent years.

“My wife and I haven’t been hiking and camping together since the kids came along. I don’t want to wish their childhood away but I am counting the days until they are old enough to come!”

Having a young family also makes it harder for Ed to go on the road with his stand-up tours, although performing live is still his passion.

He said: “I love being on stage. There are days when the only time I feel like I know what I am doing or am in control is the hour and a half or so on stage. But everything surrounding going on tour, the hotels and the sitting in the car for hours on end is all a pain.

“The heavy touring schedule is only for about five months, every two years which isn’t too bad, and I try to get home as often as I can.

“As my shows are about my life, I need to live a life. Otherwise I will end up with a show where the only people who can relate to me are travelling salesmen.”

Ed Byrne’s Roaring Forties will be at Tunbridge Wells’ Assembly Hall Theatre on Thursday, October 10. It starts at 8pm. Tickets £22.50. Call 01892 530613.