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Stewart Francis interview

Canadian pun king Stewart Francis has just set off on a mammoth UK tour, so we sent him a few questions about his career to date. And he's answered them in his own inimitable fashion (you may have to Google the first fella he mentions... it's worth it).

What made you want to do comedy? Were you influenced by particular stand-ups or sitcoms?

I wanted to do comedy because I was told that it's a good way to meet inquisitive people. I was influenced by Nipsey Russell and Last Of The Summer Wine.

When and why did you decide that the UK was in need of your comedy services?

I knew the UK needed my comedy services the first time I saw Bruce Forsyth perform.

How does your writing process work? Tim Vine writes one-liners from the punchline backwards...

Tim shouldn't have said that. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to pay him a visit.

How often are you confused with former Crackerjack presenter Stu Francis? Ever met him?

I've been confused with Stu Francis 27 times. I haven't met him as I haven't been into the Argos he works at.

Has winning the Fringe 'best gag' competition changed your life?

You tell me if it's changed my life. After I finish this, I'm off to Zumba class with Jay-Z and Plan B.

It says on your biog that you wrote for The Tonight Show. What was the most Larry Sanders-style moment there?

I worked for The Tonight Show for one joke, and I kinda looked like Garry Shandling when I wrote it.

You've done sitcoms here and in Canada - how does the process differ? More 'notes' over there?

The only notes over there were to make sure we said 'oot' instead of 'out' and 'aboot' instead of 'about'.

Any other projects in development?

I'm shopping around a great TV show idea to TV show people right now. I'll let you know how it turns oot.

Stewart's tour runs from September until December, visit www.stewartfrancis.com for details.