The twenty- something comic and former Cambridge Footlighter, was born in Johannesburg in South Africa but moved to the Isle of Man when he was a boy.

Novellie, who studied Anglo, Norse and Celtic (seriously) at university, has been hailed as one of the best up and coming comedians in the UK. The six foot plus South African won the 2013 Amused Moose Laugh-Off award (Jack Whitehall, Rob Beckett and Sarah Millican are just some of the high profile past recipients).

TNT caught up with the comic ahead of his new show Pierre Novellie is Anxious Peter which has a wander through all the different types of anxiety, touching on Johannesburg's high crime rate, compulsive over-eating and why you can't use online dating growing up on the Isle of Man.

Congratulations on Pierre Novellie is Anxious Peter. Tell us a little about the show
Thanks. You can expect a mix of early medieval Norse history and observational comedy plus classic songs from Moon River to Reign In Blood.

You¹re from South Africa but have been based in the UK for 18 years now. What do you miss most about SA?
That’s easy: the abundance of cheap, good meat. 

When did you first know that you wanted to be a comedian?
In my second year of university - the adrenaline was a big factor.

Do you ever read your reviews?
Months after the gig, I'll read the reviews of comedy critics I respect. 

Any advice for budding comedians?
Be prepared to suffer mentally - it makes you funnier.

What¹s next for Pierre Novellie?
I've got my Soho Theatre run of Pierre Novellie is Anxious Peter from the 24-26 March. It’s last year's Edinburgh [Festival] show and it's based around anxiety.

Any message for your fans…
Come and see the Soho Theatre show!

Thanks Peter! Pierre Novellie is Anxious Peter runs at the Soho Theatre (21 Dean Street, W1) from 24-26 March 2016. Tickets cost £12.50 (£10 concessions) and are available at www.sohotheatre.com