SCOTTISH comedian Frankie Boyle has written his new set “not to tour, but as a response to Kendrick Lamar’s last album”.

“After these stand-up performances, the ball will very much be in Kendrick’s court,” says Boyle, in an open invitation to the rapper from Compton, California, who released To Pimp A Butterfly earlier this year.

Come witness this harrowing on-stage breakdown, advises Boyle’s enticing press release for his autumn tour, which visits York this weekend. From the pugnacious Scotsman, who “Would Happily Punch Every One Of You In The Face”, comes a new tour filled with the comical musings that can only be found in the very dark places in the corners of the soul.

Boyle was crowned the nation’s most offensive stand-up in a 2011 poll by 100 British comedians, beating fellow controversial Scot Jerry Sadowitz, Londoner Jim Davidson and North Easterner Roy “Chubby” Brown.

Boyle last played York in November 2012 when he made his Barbican debut with his The Last Days Of Sodom show.

Saturday's Hurt Like You’ve Never Been Loved gig has sold out. Indeed it was York Barbican's fastest  sell-out of the year.