It’s 30 years since comedian Joe Pasquale burst into the public consciousness when he appeared on the ITV Talent Show New Faces.

And in 2018 Joe will celebrate this auspicious moment with a new stand up tour, Joe Pasquale – A Few Of His Favourite Things.    

Frequently described as a ‘comedy genius’ Joe Pasquale will treat audiences to a comedic mega-mix of some of his best ‘cack’ with some new surprises on the way.

“It will be singing, dancing, music, magic, mind-reading, painting and a lot of audience participation. It’s me going out there and having a laugh. I can’t wait,” Joe said. 

And the comic says he still loves stand-up as much as ever - even 30 years later. 

“I love that feeling of flying by the seat of your pants. Also, it’s just you. You’re the performer, the producer and the editor. 

“You go on stage and you just go with the flow. I have a rough plan beforehand, then I just see what happens on the night. I like being scared. It makes you realise you’re alive.

“I never thought I’d still be doing it 30 years later. I initially did it because I didn’t want to work for a living, but 30 years later I’m still doing it. 

“It’s busy, but it doesn’t seem like work at all.”

Although he is a seasoned pro on the stage - having performed countless live comedy shows as well as taking on the role of King Arthur in Spamalot and Leo Bloom in the touring production of  The Producers - he still gets nervous.

He said: “I’ve done a few parachute jumps, and it’s the same feeling. As you’re about to start, you think, ‘Oh no, oh no. OK, here we go ... Now I’m doing it, and it’s great!’ 

“You just hope you have a good landing. I don’t want to be sitting on the sofa at home with my feet up.

“For me, that’s not experiencing life. I want to do things that really scare me.”

Despite the nerves, Joe maintains an awe-inspiring energy on the stage. 

“It’s like skimming a stone over the water – if you let it drop, it falls.

“Being onstage is like juggling two ping-pong balls with two hairdryers. You just have to keep going. 

“I just love stand-up. I hate the travelling and getting stuck in traffic – that’s the curse of this job. 

“But the buzz is still there every time I go on stage.”

While many aspiring comedians will have Joe down on their list of inspirations, he also has his own comedy heroes. 

“Bruce Forsyth, Ken Dodd and Bob Monkhouse. They all had a stage skill that no one has any more. 

“They learned how to work an audience in variety, and they were simply the best at it. 

“My ultimate hero was Bob Monkhouse, as a writer, as a performer and as a man. I knew him very well. He was so generous. He and Ken Dodd really helped me. 

“I’m not sure that camaraderie exists on the comedy circuit any more.”

Joe will be bringing his 30th anniversary show to the Wycombe Swan on September 30. 

Tickets are priced at £26, with concession tickets £2 off and children under 15 £3 off. Age guidance 7+. 

To buy tickets, go to www.wycombeswan.co.uk or call the ticket office on 01494 512 000.