GLOBE columnist Peter Grant meets funnyman Justin Moorhouse who admits he's still partial to face-paint ...

"I'm becoming something of an expert aren't I" he says, with a laugh.

Justin was tiger faced Young Kenny in the classic comedy Phoenix Nights.

Now he has had the make-up out again. I can assure you this is not his passport picture.

Justin is a big fan of The Joker from the Batman films.

"The Joker is someone who comedians relate to because he looks like the type of person who spends plenty of time in service stations like we do." 

Following his critical success at Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2018, Justin is taking his one man show Northern Joker on the road coming to Liverpool's Unity Theatre on September 18.

The Stockport-born star has no problem for inspiration and material.

One of his comments made the Dave Top Ten Funniest Jokes List at Edinburgh.

Here it is:

"Trump said he's building a wall but he hasn't even picked up a brick. He’s just another middle aged man failing on a DIY project." 

Other themes from Justin include include Brexit and the Cold War.

Relatively speaking, he says he is starting to feel redundant as a parent.

One younger Moorhouse is leaving home.

His dog is getting older and needs fewer walks, and the youngest kid hits 13 and cancels the family subscription to The Beano.

"So", he asks "am I relevant?" 

Justin tells the Globe: "I enjoy playing Liverpool. I like the audiences a lot, I am there at various comedy clubs. And I live near the Mersey." 

His new show will also allow him to have a chat with the audiences.

Justin has performed around the world and his TV and film credits include Ken Loach's Looking for Eric.

Add to that top TV shows Live At The Apollo, Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow, 8 out of 10 Cats as well as the popular Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled and you can see Mr Moorhouse is a much-in-demand comedian.

He's also a regular contributor to BBC's The Premier League show. And downplays his brain box status.

"I enjoyed winning Celebrity Mastermind because I was answering questions on my hero Les Dawson.

"At the end of the day I am a stand-up comic.

"That is what I am, so doing Mastermind came easy; just me and a microphone talking about something I know.

"Les Dawson, like a lot of Northern comedians, could always surprise people." 

Justin also enjoys BBC 5 Live's Fighting Talk: "You don’t have to worry about what clothes you are wearing on radio.

"I do wear clothes, though." 

Justin says in his varied stage and film career one special home-grown memory stands out: "It was the premiere of Looking for Eric in Salford.

"I took my mum and dad there in a Rolls Royce and I introduced the screening.

"When it was over I turned to my mum and said, 'what did you think of the film?'" 

She said: "It got better towards the end ..." 

'Justin Moorhouse: Northern Joker' is at the Unity Theatre on September 18.

Tickets are from 0151 709 4988