Funnyman Tom Stade, who has appeared on comedy shows including Live at the Apollo and Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow will perform in Tunbridge Wells this month.

A natural performer with a passion for storytelling, Canadian born Stade has steadily built himself a reputation through performances at national and international comedy festivals while leading several of his own headline tours.

After debuting his new stand up show, 'Decisions Decisions' at the Edinburgh Festival Assembly Ballroom this August, he is now set to go on the road for a 52-date headline tour.

Stade has been performing comedy shows for 18 years but said his mum always wanted him to be an actor. Speaking to the Kent Messenger he revealed he went to a general casting for the film 21 Jump Street, which launched in UK cinemas in 2012.

He said: "I didn't have any industry experience but I went to the audition, I thought why the hell not man, and when I finished they said it was excellent and asked who my agent was.

"At that moment I realised how small town I was. I didn't have an agent so I tried to go around and look for one, but it's not that easy let me tell you.

"That night I went down to the comedy club in Vancouver where my friend said I should try stand up comedy - the rest is pretty much history. I fell in love with it, but I'm still always looking to get into acting, I'd love it."

Along with performing on Channel 4's Boyle Variety Performance, Stade is also a co-writer of Frankie Boyle's Tramadol Nights. He said he gets inspiration on a daily basis when walking down the street, writing anything that comes to mind in his 'handy' iPhone notes application.

"I used to carry a small note pad and pen wherever I went, but thanks to the trusty iPhone I can jot down any funny thoughts throughout the day. I often analyse myself and talk about that at shows.

"People can relate to personal details, kids, wife, housework, anything that people can discuss man."

Warning: Video may contain expletives.

He admits the first 10 years of his career were a huge learning curve, and he experienced nerves before every show. Now when getting up on stage, the up and coming comedian says there is a sense of excitement and an adrenaline rush.

The 43-year-old said: "It's a learning process, I have learnt lots about my industry over the past 10 years, for sure I got nervous before going on stage.

"But now I think the audience get more nervous than me, they're anxious to see if I'm going to be funny or not.

"In my opinion you have to adapt your attitude when it comes to nerves. If you're going to be a star you've got to act like one."

Asked why his new show is called Decisions Decisions, Stade said it is all about the decisions you make in life and explores all the decisions that get you to where you are.

"As tough as times seem to be, there will always be someone who has it tougher" - Tom Stade...

"I've made horrible decisions, but my life has turned out to be a well planned number of decisions," he added.

The 52-date headline tour will culminate with a performance in Canterbury on Sunday, November 30.

Stade, who now lives in Edinburgh with his wife and children, said such a long line-up of shows is exhausting, but he wouldn't change it for the world.

"It is very tiring, but I get rest when I can because when I get up on stage I have to be active and engage the audience, they're there to see me.

"My mum always said be careful what you ask for because you might just get it.

"As tough as times seem to be, there will always be someone who has it tougher."

Tom Stade will perform at the Trinity Theatre in Tunbridge Wells on Thursday, November 20. For more info and tickets visit: www.tomstade.co.uk