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It is a given that in any classroom, you will find at least one character who considers themselves the class joker'.

Though, 99.9 per cent of the time, that will be a pupil and not the teacher.

Enter Rob Rouse - a "reformed" former geography teacher who is now celebrating his tenth year in the stand-up business. And the Macclesfield-born comic admits it has been an unusual path to fame.

He says: "I originally got into teaching because I thought it sounded fun but that was a bit of a mistake.

"A few mates roped me into doing a local charity gig so I went away and wrote some stuff that I thought was funny. When I was on stage, something just clicked and, for the first time in my life, I found something that was me."

After heading to Edinburgh to win the 1998 So You Think You're Funny Award at the world-famous festival, Rouse has embarked on a successful career that has seen numerous TV appearances alongside the likes of Jimmy Carr and Bill Bailey.

And Rouse admits he is still living the dream: "To be 10 years on from starting out and still be doing a job I love that is always different - I could not ask for more."

Rob is having to spin numerous plates at present as, along with writing a new character-based sketch show for ITV2, he recently celebrated the birth of his first child, Lenny. And he agrees his priorities have taken a dramatic turn.

He adds: "It is just the biggest thing that has ever happened to me. It really turns your world upside-down and inside-out."

Between changing nappies and warming milk, Rob answered a few of our teasers: SF: What's the most difficult - standing in front of a class of kids or an audience?

RR: Working with kids, definitely. The worst thing that could happen at a gig is that people don't laugh or you just fall flat on your arse.

But, when you're in the classroom, you know you have those kids' futures in your hands - that's terrifying!

SF: Any secret talents?

RR: I've managed to turn my hand at plumbing. We were having to get the house ready for the baby and the bog needed fixing so I gave it a go - and it hasn't leaked yet!

SF: Is there any sketch you wish you had written?

RR: Monty Python's Life Of Brian - it's incredible!

SF: What's the best heckle you have heard?

RR: I was doing a gig in Luton and was a bit out of my depth. This woman asked, "Is this going anywhere?" I think I replied, "I don't know," and got bottled off-stage!

Rob Rouse/Andy Zaltzman, Kingsmeadow, 422a Kingston Road, April 4, 9pm, £12 incl meal. Call 020 8547 3355.

8:44am Thursday 3rd April 2008

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