COMEDIAN Jon Richardson will be checking his tyre pressures, cleaning his floor mats and putting an emergency packed lunch in the boot of his car in preparation for bringing his new tour show, Ndiot, to York Barbican on October 10.

Richardson last played the Barbican’s stage in 2012 on his Funny Magnet tour, and on his return, the perennial singleton and misanthrope is determined to become a more easy-going person for the sake of his friends and his future health.

"Come and find out whether or not a leopard can change its spots, or if they're doomed to be angry forever not to have been given a more uniform and symmetrical fur pattern," says Jon.

Away from his stand-up shows, this British Comedy Award 2013 nominee is best known as a team captain on Channel 4's panel game 8 Out Of 10 Cats, but the Lancaster pessimist thrives on his gigs. "Live comedy is such a rush, " he says. "That's why I'm not a writer or an actor or a painter. There's simply nothing like the urgency of having 500 people look at you who expect you to be funny. I love writing, but it's a totally different experience. Stand-up gives you such a thrill."

Tickets are on sale at £19.50 on 0844 854 2757 or at yorkbarbican.co.uk