MENTION the comedian's name Danny Bhoy and you immediately guess that it has been manufactured by the funny man for cheap laughs.

But no, this is his real name, and the young comic accepts "I am probably in the only profession in which the name is of benefit".

He adds: "Believe me, it was not ideal at school."

However, Danny has relied on much more than his name in building his reputation to make people laugh. The comic is billed as the UK's hottest rising star and just one year after his first gig won the 1999 Daily Telegraph Open Mike Award. His debut solo Edinburgh Festival Show was also a sell out this year.

But it all could have been so different if a job he had applied for had not fallen through at the last minute.

He said: "I went for an interview as an apprentice sports journalist at a swanky big media company in London. I got the job and one month later returned for my first day. I walked into the office to be confronted by guys sweeping up and carrying computers out of the door. It turns out they had gone bust a week earlier.

"It was the best thing that has happened to me, but at the time I did not think so."

In fact it was during a night out to lift his spirits that Danny got drunk and stood up to perform an open mike slot.

He said: "It all took off from there. At first it was a hobby but then when people started asking me to appear at places it became more serious. Things really took off when I won the newcomer award." Danny specialises in observational comedy and varies his act to suit his audience. He said: "When you stand up on stage there is always a fear there. It never goes away. The first 10 minutes of my act varies to try to suit the audience and I jump material around.

"I am really happy doing what I am doing, and want to continue to see just how far I can go with it." Danny appears at the Bury Met on Thursday. Tickets, £8 or £6 concessions, are from 0161 761 2216.